'KEENE, N.H. 10/11/06 - Ryan Farnsworth (Merrimack, N.H.) scored the lone goal of the game and made a key defensive play late in the second half to lead Keene State College to a 1-0 shutout win over Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in non-conference men's soccer action at Owl Athletic Complex on Wednesday.

The Owls improve to 9-3-1.  The Red Hawks, coached by KSC alum Adam Clinton, dropped their seventh straight game to fall to 4-9.

Farnsworth's goal came at the 18:53 mark of the first half. The sophomore back corralled a loose ball on the right wing nd fired a shot into the far corner of the net for his second goal of the season.

RPI had several opportunities to tie the game.  Aaron Gundale's (Portland, Ore.) drive midway  in the second half went just over the crossbar.Later in the half, Owl goalie Peter Kersker (Beverly, Mass.) lost control of a shot by Ben Russell (Rochester, N.Y.).  Russell got the rebound, but his second shot was knocked away by Farnsworth.  Kersker preserved the shutout with a diving save off of Gundle with 3:07 to play.

Kersker made one save to notch his second shutout of the season.  John Thibdeau (Altamont, N.Y.) tuned aside two shots for the Red Hawks.

Keene State host R.I. College in an LEC game on Saturday (1 p.m.).

RPI returns home on Saturday to take on Vassar (1 p.m.).