TROY, N.Y. -  Keene State College men's soccer team battled to a 1-1 draw with Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) in non-conference action this evening. The Red Hawks are now 5-4-3 (1-2-1 Liberty League) on the year, while the Owls run their season record to 5-4-4 (1-2-2 Little East). The four ties by the Owls are one shy of the program high of five set in 1981 and 1986.

Rensselaer scored first, when sophomore midfielder Sean Fleury (Princeton, MA/Wachusetts Regional) finished a leaping header just inside the far post to give the Red Hawks a 1-0 lead in the 13th minute. The tally was set up wonderfully by senior Gary Sroka (Liverpool, NY/Liverpool) who bent in a cross from the right wing. The ball was played across the front of the net to Fleury who jumped and headed the ball, in stride, past Keene State goalkeeper Scott Panone (Wolcott, CT/Wolcott).

The Owls answered RPI's goal with just over a minute remaining in the first half. Freshman midfielder Matt Johnson (Walpole, NH/Fall Mountain Regional) took a pass from Mike Vitone (Conventry, RI/East Greenbush) inside the 18 yard area and delivered a right footed shot that beat Red Hawks goalie Jeff Krywanczyk (Chazy, NY/Chazy Central) low and to his left. It was Johnson's first college goal.

With no scoring in the second half, the game went to overtime. The first ten minute period saw little in the way of chances for either team, but in the 101st minute two Owls attackers had an opportunity to finish a ball played in from the right side. The cross ended up bouncing through the six yard area and out for a goal kick.

Sroka and Matt Hill (Hampton Falls, NH/Winnacunnet) each receiver yellow cards in the first 45 minutes for Rensselaer, along with Keene State's Ryan Farnsworth (Merrimack, NH/Merrimack). The second stanza saw two more yellows as Red Hawk Kevin Swift (Clifton Park, NY/Shenendehowa) and the Owl's Ross Stanton (Glenmont, NY/Bethlehem Central) received cautions. One yellow card was given in overtime

"The game was there for us to take, but once again we had trouble putting the ball in the net," said KSC Coach Ron Butcher. 

The Red Hawks are coached by former Owl player Adam Clinton '87.

Krywanczyk made eight saves for RPI, while Panone stopped two for Keene State. The goal allowed by the Owls' net minder was the first he has allowed in 380 minutes this season.

Rensselaer is back in action on Saturday when it hosts Vassar for a Liberty League affair (4pm). Keene State will take the field again on Saturday when it hosts UMass - Dartmouth (1pm).