ALBANY, N.Y. – Russell Sage College earned another three points with this afternoon's 2-0 Empire 8 Conference victory vs. visiting Alfred this afternoon at the ACP Athletic Complex.
After subbing into the contest midway through the first half, junior midfielder/forward Nathan Powell (Waterford, NY/Waterford-Halfmoon) opened the scoring in the 26th minute. A bouncing throw-in tossed by junior defender/midfielder Ian Maguire (Dunstable, MA/Groton Dunstable Regional) dropped onto the foot of Powell to bury into the top of the net.
RSC had an opportunity to double its lead late in the first half, earning a penalty kick with 5:42 remaining before the break. However, Alfred senior goalie Jon Nadolne ( Loss, 2-4-2) guessed correctly to turn away the attempt by freshman midfielder Braxton Harper (Sharpsburg, GA/The Heritage School).
Midfielder/forward Christian Vålstuen (Lillestrom, Norway/Lambertseter Athletic), a fifth-year senior, added an insurance goal in the 88th minute. Nadolne, made his seventh save of the afternoon on the initial shot by the co-captain, but he was unable to corral it completely, allowing Vålstuen, who ranks in the top-ten in program records for career points, career goals and career assists, to deposit the rolling loose ball home.
Junior goalie Tyler Brennan (Albany, NY/Shaker) (Win, 5-4-1), turned aside all six shots taken on goal by Alfred (3-7-3/1-4-2 E8) for his fifth shutout of the fall. The Gators (7-4-2, 4-1-0 E8), currently sitting second in the E8 standings with 12 points, now have seven clean sheets on the campaign.
This afternoon wrapped up a stretch of five-straight home games for the Gators. RSC plays on the road for the first time since September 27 on Wednesday evening at Hartwick. The E8 contest is set to begin at 6:30 pm.
Notes: RSC got off to its best-ever start in E8 play at 3-0-0…The fall marked the first season with Amir Pasic at the helm of the program...He picked up his first career win on Thursday, September 1 at Castleton...17 players returned to the team...Junior defender/midfielder Ian Maguire (Dunstable, MA/Groton Dunstable Regional) and midfielder/forward Christian Vålstuen (Lillestrom, Norway/Lambertseter Athletic), a fifth-year senior, were voted co-captains...Vålstuen ranks in the top-ten in program records for career points, career goals and career assists.
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