The Union College Dutchmen and RPI Engineers men’s hockey teams squared off this past weekend for a 2-game set, as the latest chapter in the storied rivalry. The upstate New York teams faced off Friday night at the Achilles Center in Schenectady, with the visiting Engineers emerging with a 3-2 victory. However, Union was able to respond with a 2-1 win at the Houston Field House on Saturday.
Friday, Oct. 25: RPI 3, Union 2
RPI was able to set the tone early in hostile territory on Friday, outshooting the Dutchmen 16-8 in the first period. The Engineers led 2-1 at the first intermission following goals by seniors Will Reilly and Chase Zieky. Union woke up after a lackluster first, but could not manage to get much else past sophomore goaltender Owen Savory. He finished the night with 24 saves on 26 shots. RPI increased their lead to 3-1 in the second after junior Billy Jerry potted his first goal of the season. Union got a goal from senior forward Anthony Rinaldi in the first, and one from freshman Gabriel Seger in the third period. The third-period tally was Seger’s first collegiate goal, and led to the final score of 3-2.
“The rivalry is talked about before and after,” said RPI head coach Dave Smith. “In the game, it might add to the temperature of it, but our guys want to win the same every single night.”
For RPI, the win was the third in their previous four meetings with Union. However, the Dutchmen were not too keen on making that four out of five.
Saturday, Oct. 26: Union 2, RPI 1
Union opened Saturday night’s game much stronger than Friday, and took a 1-0 lead early, thanks to a goal from senior Zachary Emelifeonwu. The Dutchmen outshot RPI 14-9 in the opening frame. However, RPI put their foot on the gas in the second period, and came out firing. The Engineers outshot Union 13-3 in the second frame. Two of Union’s three shots in the period came during a powerplay opportunity. Despite the pressure, junior goaltender Darion Hanson stood tall, knocking aside all 13 shots. Emelifeonwu eventually found the back of the net again, this time less than a minute into the third period. Facing a 2-0 deficit, RPI continued to put the pressure on, but Hanson again stood tall in goal. The Engineers got a goal back with 3:20 remaining, thanks to Will Reilly. However, that would be the only tally that got past Hanson, who held strong in the final minutes.
“I said that [Friday’s loss] was one of the hardest we’ve had since I’ve been at Union,” said Hanson. “And now, 24 hours later, it’s one of the best wins we’ve had at Union.”
Looking Ahead
Union is now 1-7-0 on the season, following the two-game split. Saturday was the first multi-goal game of Emelifeonwu’s career, and the goals were his first two of the season. Hanson finished with 52 saves on 56 shots during the weekend. The Dutchmen will next head to Buffalo for a weekend set with Canisius College, starting November 1st.
RPI remains at .500, sitting 3-3-0 after the weekend series. Senior defenseman Will Reilly scored a goal in each of the two games, and has 6 points in 6 games this season. The Engineers have next weekend off, and will host St. Lawrence and Clarkson starting October 8th.
Union and RPI will square off one more time this season, in the 8th annual Mayor’s Cup. The game is scheduled for January 25th, at the Times Union Center in Albany. The Dutchmen have won 5 of the first 7 meetings, and have won the cup for 3 consecutive seasons.