Union College lost their Liberty League opener last weekend, 29-25, to Rochester when a final pass fell incomplete in the end zone with :04 left in the game.

"We're a young team," Union coach John Audino said. "We're still growing and we need to learn from our mistakes."

Union fell to 1-2 this season, including a loss to Muhlenberg which is ranked #6 in the nation.

With such a young roster, Audino and the Union College staff will be leaning heavily on a Section 6 product for guidance and steady play in the defensive backfield.

St. Francis graduate Kevin Rautenstrauch is starting at safety for the Dutchmen and is second on the team in tackles and first in tackles for loss. Rautenstrauch has also intercepted a pass and broken up 3 passes.

Audino says that it is not unusual for a Section 6 player to head east to play for Union College.

"Traditionally, we recruit the entire state," Audino said. "We know how good the football is in Sections 5 and 6 so we visit all of the schools in Western New York. When we recruited Kevin, I think he liked the idea of our education and had the opportunity to play two sports."

Rautenstrauch serves as team captain of the football and lacrosse teams at Union.

"That's quite an accomplishment to be a double-captain," Audino said. "Kevin is a very, very good student. He's just a bundle of energy. Anything he does he gives a great commitment to. He's always five minutes early for everything and takes every responsibility."

Audino says that Rautenstrauch broke into the starting lineup last season when there was an injury to one of Union's defensive backs.

"He melded right in and started the last three games at nickel back for us," Audino said. "He's a very physical player and a very good tackler."

He makes all of our calls and all of the adjustments in the secondary," Audino said. "He also returns punts and kickoffs for us. He's been tremendous in terms of his maturity and decision making."

Audino says that he recruited Rautenstrauch from St. Francis.

"We looked at him on film and knew that he was a very good athlete," Audino said. "We knew that he had played in a very competitive program. St. Francis plays against the best of the best and football is very important to the school. We knew he would be well-coached."

Rautenstrauch spent very little time on the bench when he arrived at Union.

"Kevin was a contributor right away," Audino said. "We were very happy to get him. He was targeted by schools across the state."