Schenectady, NY---The Sage Colleges' men's soccer team opened the 2016 campaign on Thursday afternoon facing RPI in the opening match of the Union College Soccer Classic. The contest marked the head coaching debut of rookie coach Keith Simons for the Gators.  The two teams played to a 1-1 overtime time in the first match of the new season for the pair of clubs.

RPI struck first as Gabe El-Ghandour found the net just 1:49 into the contest on a feed from Dylan Weitz. The Engineeres held a 1-0 lead at the break. Sage continued to attack and finally at the 77:34 mark, sophomore forward Sarpong Adjei (Bronx, NY/DeWitt Clinton) tallied his first score of the year on a feed from junior midfielder Paul Reynoso (Oswego, NY/G. Ray Bodley).

After playing to a 1-1 tie in regulation time, Sage and RPI played two extra periods and despite some near misses, the Gators were held scoreless in the two extra sessions and came away with the 1-1 tie.

Sage's junior goalie Caelen Kohut (Ancram, NY/Hudson) made his first career start in net for the Gators and recorded five saves in net on the 17 shots faced. RPI's junior keeper Ryan Nealon (Somers, NY/Somers) made three saves on eight Gators shots.

Sage is back in action on September 3 facing the host Union College Dutchmen on Saturday, September 3 at 1 p.m., while RPI will take on Utica College at 3:30 p.m. on the final day of the Union Soccer Classic.