TROY, NY – The Union men's soccer team battled to a, 0-0 scoreless draw with Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) at Harkness Field Sunday afternoon. The Dutchmen are now 10-2-3 overall and 3-1-3 in the Liberty League, and will be the #3 seed in the upcoming Liberty League tournament. The Red Hawks run their record to 6-5-4 and 2-3-2 in conference play.

 

A back-and-forth first 40 minutes provided little in terms of scoring opportunities for the either team, with RPI outshooting Union, 8-3, in the opening 45 minutes.

 

Rensselaer senior Gary Sroka (Liverpool, NY) had the best chance for either side in the 41st minute of play, but his shot from 12 yards from goal was stopped and smothered by Union junior goalkeeper Rob Kramer (Westport, CT). Sroka skillfully took down a cross from the left wing and ripped a shot on net, only to be thwarted by a diving Kramer. The save was one of three the Dutchmen goalie made in the first half.

 

An evenly-matched second half saw few opportunities for either school. The Red Hawks and Dutchmen played well defensively, keeping the opposing team from getting any quality looks on net. Neither team recorded a shot on goal in the second 45 minutes, with Rensselaer holding an 11-8 edge in overall shots through regulation.

 

The defensive struggle continued through overtime, as Red Hawks junior midfielder Lincoln Field (Warren, NH/ and Dutchmen Jack Scott (Huntington, NY) recording the only shots on goal of the 20 minutes of extra time.

 

Kramer finished the game with four saves for Union, while RPI freshman goalkeeper Alex Penny (Northport, NY/Northport) had two stops.

 

The Dutchmen visit Utica College in a 7 p.m. game on Wednesday. Rensselaer is back in action on Wednesday afternoon when it travels to Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (3pm).