TROY, NY (November 5, 2014) – The No. 20 ranked Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute scored three second half goals, as the Engineers earned a 3-1 victory over Vassar Wednesday evening to earn a spot in the Liberty League Men's Soccer Championship game. After the teams were scoreless in a very tightly contested first half, RPI found its offensive rhythm in the second to take down the Brewers. RPI improves top 12-3-3 with the win, while VC moves to 11-6-2 on the year.  

RPI broke into the scoring column in the 52^nd minute, after junior Natahniel Gunderson  got the ball with space just over the midfield line. He carried the ball down the middle of the field, and slipped past a pair of Brewer defenders off a breakdown in the backline. Gunderson ripped a shot towards the far right post, and the ball tucked into the corner past an outstretched Adam Warner (Tenafly, NY/Tenafly) to give RPI a 1-0 lead.  

Gunderson notched his second of the game off an initial save from Warner, after senior Tim Terrezza put a shot on target on the left wing. Warner deflected the shot off his hands, but the rebound was left free in the box and Gunderson powered it into the net to put his side ahead 2-0. Senior Matt Koziol made it 3-0 on a direct kick from just outside the left side of the box, as his shot sailed into the right corner of the net to put his team further ahead.

Vassar showed no quit in its play, as the Brewers urgently pushed the ball into their offensive end in the final minutes. VC was rewarded in the 90^th minute, as junior Jordan Palmer (Woodland Hills, CA/Agoura) found space down the left side. His cross found the foot of an open Zach Nasipak (Chandler, AZ/Hamilton) who found the net as time was ticking down to avoid the shutout.

Vassar got a decent look in the 61st minute, after freshman Alex Gonzales got free down the right wing. He put a well-placed cross on the foot of junior Cosmo Veneziale (Garden City, NY/Garden City), but his initial attempt was blocked and secondary effort easily collected by the RPI keeper to keep VC scoreless.  

The first half proved to be a defensive struggle, as neither side was able to produce much offense. Vassar's lone shot of the half came off the foot of freshman Reid Smith (Greensboro, NC/Greensboro Day School), as his long attempt from nearly 20 yards was saved in the ninth minute.

RPI was able to manage three shots in the half, but none on goal as the Brewers blocked two with the third sent wide left off the goal.  

Vassar closes the year with a winning record for the sixth consecutive season, finishing with a 11-6-2 standing and 9-2 mark at home.  

-VASSAR-