TROY, NY – Behind a goal and an assist from junior Tripp Pietrak (Amherst, NY/ Canisius High) and a defense that did not allow a shot on goal, the Union College men's soccer team opened its season with a 4-0 victory over SUNY Old Westbury at the third annual RPI Red Hawk Classic Friday evening.   

 

Chris Poey (Amherst, MA/Amherst Regional) scored the first of Union's two first-half goals when connected on a pass from Pietrak, sending a low shot past the right Old Westbury goaltender Brian Hicks (Valley Stream, NY/ Valley Stream South) at 15:42. Senior Josh Butler (Cazenovia, NY/Manlius Pebble Hill) gave the Dutchmen a 2-0 lead at the 37:31 mark when he headed in a ball from sophomore Ian Brennan (Bellemead, NJ/Montgomery).

 

Freshman Ryan Banagan (Bethlehem Central) tallied his first career goal at 50:18 when he one-timed a cross from senior Luke LaBella (Middletown,CT/Taft School). Pietrak capped the scoring when his shot hit the left post and slipped across the goal line.

 

Union goaltenders Rob Kramer (Westport, CT/Staples) and Harris Fendell (Short Hills, NJ/St. Benedict's Prep) combined for the shutout, while Hicks made 11 saves in the loss for the Panthers.

 

The Dutchmen are back in action on Saturday at 5 p.m. when they take on Colby Sawyer in day two of the RPI Red Hawk Classic in Troy, NY.