TROY, N.Y. (August 29, 2025) -- Junior Zac Osmond scored from the spot in the 76th minute, deadlocking the season opener for the Emerson College men's soccer team as the Lions rallied for a 1-1 draw in non-conference play at Rensselear Polytechnic Institute (RPI) Friday evening at ECAV Stadium.
The first half was played mostly between the two boxes, with the two teams combining on just six total shots. RPI would post four of the five first-half corner kicks, but the stout Emerson defense was able to thwart each chance by the Engineers.
The best scoring chance in the opening 45 minutes came in the 42nd minute for the hosts, as RPI's Joshua Joarden had an attempt on goal that was stopped by Lion goalkeeper Wylie Jelinek.
After a scoreless opening half, Emerson had their best scoring chance of the game to that point in the 51st minute as Diego Garcia-Ocampo was denied by a nice save from Noah Churchill.
Minutes later though RPI would open the scoring on a corner kick, as Benjamin Tymeson scored off of an assist from Owen Filler to make it 1-0.
The Lions would start to put the pressure on after the Engineer goal, as Ethan Minster had a solid scoring chance in the 59th minute stopped. The equalizer came for the Lions 20 minutes after the goal from RPI, as Osmond was fouled in the box before converting from the penalty spot to make it 1-1.
Rensselaer finished with a 7-6 edge in shots and held a 5-4 advantage in corner kicks. Noah Churchill made two saves between the posts for the Engineers, while Jelinek posted one stop for the Lions.
The Lions will host Eastern Connecticut State at Rotch Field Friday, September 5 at 6 p.m. in non-conference action.
--LIONS--
