Box Score
Troy, N.Y.-- Top seed RPI scored the game's first five goals on the way to a 14-4 win over Skidmore in the Liberty League championship game Sunday afternoon at Skidmore.
The Thoroughbreds finish the year at 9-6. The #15 Engineers are 14-2 and earn the league's NCAA Championship automatic qualifier.
Rensselaer came out firing in the first quarter, opening a 4-0 lead behind tallies from four different players. The Engineers made it a five-goal lead at the start of the second quarter when sophomore face-off specialist Brian Larkin won the draw and raced the ball up the field, firing a quick shot past Skidmore goalie Flip Bongaerts (New Canaan, CT/New Canaan) just seven seconds in.
Skidmore got on the board just 14 seconds after Larkin's tally as senior attack Rob Lutin (Port Washington, NY/Schreiber) collected a sharp pass from classmate Cory Barkoff (Woodbury, NY/Syosset) and sent it past the RPI keeper at 14:39.
Rensselaer responded quickly, scoring eight straight goals between the second and third quarters to take a 13-1 lead with 8:19 remaining in the third stanza.
RPI netminder James Manchester sparkled in goal , stopping nine of 10 shots in 45:00 minutes, including four critical stops in the third quarter to earn tournament MVP honors.
Skidmore put on pressure in the final quarter as Barkoff, Lutin and senior Alex Giaimo (Manhasset, NY/Manhasset) each tallied, but the Thoroughbreds could not cut the deficit further as senior Devin Arnold (Buffalo, NY/Canisius) scored his second of the contest and the Rensselaer defense held strong for the victory.
For Skidmore, Lutin posted a team-high two goals, while Barkoff had a goal and an assist. In goal.. Freshman goalie Conor Kearney (Wilbraham, MA/Minnechaug) came on in relief and made three saves in 35:00 before giving way to sophomore Connor Dowling (Darien, CT/Darien), who had one save. Senior Vivek Huded (Haddam, CT/Loomis Chaffee) played the final 1:30 for Skidmore.
Lutin and defender Scott Grillo (Wellesley, MA/Wellesley) were selected to the all-tournament team.
