The RPI men's soccer team came into the week desperately in search of a win. The Red Hawks had lost their previous four games as their season began to slip away, and a win was needed to sway the momentum in Rensselaer's favor.
Earlier in the season, Head Coach Adam Clinton addressed changes the team needed to make if it wanted to turn a minor skid around. The changes, however, have not been made, and unfortunately the coach's predictions came true as the Red Hawks came up short again this week, with two very close, yet unfortunate, losses to Union College and Skidmore College.
On Friday, Rensselaer took on Union College. Play was very evenly matched in the first half with RPI out-shooting Union by two shots (6-4), and holding a 2-0 corner kick advantage over the Dutchmen. However, neither team was able to capitalize on any of its opportunities nor find a way to score.
The Red Hawks had one significant opportunity to score at the 8:37 mark. Sophomore Tim Wisner headed a shot towards the goal, but Union goalie Rob Kramer denied the attempt, keeping the game scoreless. As both teams prepared for halftime, it was clear that one swing of momentum in either direction could be a deciding factor in the outcome of the game.
When play resumed, the grudge match continued. It wasn't until the 38:19 mark that either team was able to pull ahead. Unfortunately, it was Union who scored the game's first point. Freshman Dutchman Ryan Banagan received a pass that was crossed from the left corner of the field and put it past senior goalkeeper John Thibdeau for the score.
Union would score once more before the contest was over, and junior Chris Poey put a touch shot from five yards out in front of the goal into the back of the net, putting the Dutchmen up 2-0, which would be the final score of the game.
The second task of the week for the Red Hawks was the contest with Skidmore College. The first half was once again scoreless. On that day, RPI was out-shot handily 15-5, but held a close margin in corner kicks 4-3.
The Thoroughbreds broke through in the second half for the only goal of the game, when Skidmore's Pat Phelan took a pass from a teammate and found the back of the net for the score, putting his team up 1-0. Thibdeau played very well in goal for the Red Hawks, making eight saves at crucial moments in the game.
Rensselaer continues to struggle, as it has now dropped six straight contests. The Red Hawks' record now stands at 4-8 on the season, with five games left on their schedule. The upcoming week holds match-ups on Wednesday at Keene State College, and then on Saturday versus Vassar college at Harkness Field.
