TROY, N.Y. – Senior forward
Mbambi Mbungu's goal on a penalty kick in the second half was not enough as the Keene State College men's soccer team was defeated by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 2-1 Tuesday at ECAV Stadium.
Records
- Keene State: 0-3-1
- RPI: 2-2-1
How it Happened
RPI got on the board early in the first half when graduate student Paul Silva found the ball in the box and shot it past Keene State senior goalkeeper
Anthony Pasciuto to put the Engineers ahead 1-0 at 7:53. The Engineers had more opportunities to extend their lead throughout the night, but Pasciuto and the KSC defense kept the ball out of the net. The Owls made two crucial team saves in the first 56 minutes to keep the score a one-goal deficit.
Keene State's big break came when RPI graduate student Joaquin Rodriguez committed a foul in the penalty area at 69:45, awarding the Owls a penalty kick. Given a chance to score his first goal of the season, Mbungu made the most of his opportunity by kicking the ball into the lower-left corner of the net to tie the game at one.
The tie would not last long, however. Just more than 20 seconds later at 70:17, Keene State freshman defender
Nick Esp committed a foul in the penalty area. Silva was given the chance to put the Engineers back out in front, and he did not miss as his penalty kick went into the lower-left corner of the net for his second goal of the night. RPI would ultimately hold on for the 2-1 victory.
Inside the Box
- Pasciuto made six saves in his season debut in goal for the Owls.
- Senior midfielder Declan Coughlin and freshman midfielder Elias Stowell-Aleman each recorded a shot for the Owls.
Up Next
Keene State returns to campus to play its first home game of the season at Dr. Ron Butcher Field on Sunday, Sept. 18 against New England College at 1 p.m. Meanwhile, RPI continues its six-game homestand on Friday, Sept. 16 when it hosts Oneonta at 6:30 p.m.
