BREAKING: The Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) Engineers men’s hockey team delivered a thrilling victory over Union College, winning 5-2 on November 1, 2023, marking Eric Lang’s first win as head coach. The game took place at the M&T Bank Center in Schenectady, New York, in front of 2,034 fans.
This decisive win comes as RPI (1-6-0) faced off against the previously unbeaten Union (4-1-1), showcasing a strong performance that left fans on the edge of their seats. With the game tied at several points, RPI managed to pull ahead decisively in the third period, sealing Union’s first loss of the season.
RPI opened the scoring early, with sophomore Connor Smith netting his fourth goal of the season at the 14:49 mark of the first period. This goal came after Union’s senior Brendan Miles narrowly missed scoring when his shot hit both posts but did not cross the line.
The action intensified in the second period when RPI’s Luciano Wilson received a major penalty and was ejected after a video review. Despite the setback, RPI capitalized during a Union power play, scoring a short-handed goal just before the second intermission, demonstrating their resilience and strategic prowess.
First-year player Etienne Lessard made headlines by scoring his first career goal for RPI, becoming the first first-year to score for Union this season. His goal came early in the power play and was assisted by senior Colby MacArthur and sophomore Ben Muthersbaugh.
As the game progressed, Union attempted to rally, outshooting RPI 11-7 in the third period. However, despite pulling their goalie for an extra attacker with just over two minutes left, Union couldn’t capitalize and instead fell victim to two empty-net goals by RPI.
The Engineers will aim for a series sweep against Union at Houston Field House tomorrow, November 2, 2023, at 4 p.m.. Fans are eager to see if Union can reclaim the Capital Skates Trophy with a win, while RPI looks to solidify their momentum with another victory.
This match is more than just a rivalry; it showcases the determination and skill of these young athletes, making it a must-watch event for hockey fans. Stay tuned for updates as the teams prepare for the next showdown!
