ALBANY, N.Y. – Russell Sage College was edged 1-0 by visiting Hartwick in the first round of the Empire 8 Conference Championship Tournament tonight at the ACP Athletic Complex.

Senior forward Jake Zona delivered the lone goal of the physical contest in the 57th minute.

Miscommunication on a bouncing ball at the top of the box, put a charging RSC junior goalie Tyler Brennan (Albany, NY/Shaker) too centered to quickly adjust to a carom that went left. Zona was able to beat Brennan to the loose ball and had a vacant net in front of him.

RSC (8-8-2), the three seed, had its fair share of chances across the final 33:23. The Gators fired eight shots, including one off a free kick with three seconds remaining, and earned four corner kicks, compared to just one for the visiting Hawks, in its attempt for an equalizer.

Brennan (Loss, 6-8-1) made six saves, while Hartwick freshman goalie Aden Razukiewicz (Win, 5-5-1) stopped seven RSC shots.

Hartwick (6-8-3), the six seed, plays at Medaille in the E8 Semifinals on Thursday at 6:00 pm. 

Notes: The Gators made their fourth appearance in the E8 Championship Tournament…RSC, which got off to its best-ever start in E8 play at 3-0-0, established a program single-season record with its fifth E8 victory on October 26 vs. Utica…The fall marked the first season with Amir Pasic at the helm of the Gators...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 goals, career points, and career assists.

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