TROY, N.Y. – The only shot on goal of the afternoon ended up as the only score as Skidmore defeated the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) men's soccer team, 1-0, at Harkness Field today.  The Thoroughbreds improve to 4-6-5 overall and 1-1-4 in the Liberty League, while the Red Hawks fall to 6-5-3 and 2-3-1 in conference play.

Skidmore opened the scoring in the 35th minute as senior forward Ty Thiele (Bondville, VT/Burr & Barton Academy) chipped a shot over RPI goalie Alex Penny (Northport, NY/Northport) for the 1-0 lead. Thiele carried the ball up the right flank and was able to beat Penny for his second goal of the season.

The Red Hawks out-shot Skidmore 6-2 in the opening half of play, but were unable to find the target. Senior Gary Sroka (Liverpool, NY/Liverpool) received a yellow card in the 20th minute for a hard challenge on Thoroughbreds' junior Matt Roseboom (Worchester, MA/Beaver County Day).

Rensselaer's best scoring opportunity of the second half came in the 54th minute. Freshman Michael Long (Hopkinton, NH/Hopkinton) ripped a shot off the crossbar from 15 yards out, after a ball was played in from the left wing. Sroka followed that effort with a volley that was blocked by a Skidmore defender.

Tim Wisner (Middleburgh, NY/Middleburgh) headed a ball over the net in the 80th minute from just outside the six-yard area. A Kevin Swift (Clifton Park, NY/Shenendehowa) cross was swung in from the right wing to Wisner who was challenged by a Thoroughbred defender, but was able to get the shot off.

Densen picked up the victory in net for Skidmore, without having to make a stop. Penny, who was also save-less on the day, picked up the loss.

 
The Thoroughbreds visit Vassar tomorrow (2pm).