ALBANY, N.Y. – Russell Sage College commenced its autumn by defeating visiting Castleton 2-1 tonight at the ACP Athletic Complex.

Defender/midfielder James Alexander (Mechanicville, NY/Shenendehowa), a graduate student, opened the scoring 8:44 into the non-conference affair. A throw-in to the box was sent back to the newcomer from SUNY Plattsburgh. The co-captain deposited the ball into the lower right part of the net.

The Spartans (0-1) knotted the season opener for both squads about 10 minutes before the break. Junior midfielder Toby Ritzkowski buried a free kick from 20 yards out into the upper left corner for the equalizer.

Freshman forward Peter Martillotta (Gasport, NY/Royalton Hartland) delivered the eventual game-winner with 25:21 left. Forward/midfielder John Locicero (Wallkill, NY/Wallkill),  a grad student, scampered down the right side and sent a cross into the box for the rookie to flick into the net. The effort marked the second helper of the night for Locicero.

RSC out-shot the Spartans 15-5 under the Friday night lights, including 7-1 during the final 45 minutes.

Looking ahead, the Gators (1-0) continue their season-opening weekend on Sunday afternoon vs. Norwich.

Notes: The Gators, which have finished in the top half of the Empire 8 Conference standings in three of the last four seasons, made their fourth appearance in the E8 Championship Tournament in 2022…RSC got off to its best-ever start in E8 play at 3-0-0, and established a program single-season record with five E8 victories during the debut campaign of head coach Amir Pasic. 

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