Courtesy Rensselaer Sports Information

TROY, N.Y. – Junior forward Charles Romero (Mansfield, Mass.) scored by the skin of his boot midway through the first half and the Williams men’s soccer team held on for a 1-0 victory over Rensselaer, in NCAA Tournament Second Round play at Renwyck Field.

With the win, the Ephs improve to 16-2-1 overall and advance to the field of 32 next week. The Engineers conclude their season with a 14-3-2 mark, which included a 5-1-1 Liberty League record.

Romero, who notched his second goal in as many days for Williams, redirected a low cross from the left, by classmate Gaston Kelly (Hingham, Mass.), just inside the far post for the eventual game-winner goal, five ticks into the 19th minute of play.

The tally came moments after senior Pierre Meloty-Kapella (Redwood City, Calif.) was stopped on a partial breakaway, in which Rensselaer junior goaltender Alex Penny (Northport, N.Y.) came sliding out to make the save.

Engineers’ senior midfielder Sean Fleury (Princeton, Mass.) recorded one of the team’s best first half chances, when he his shot from the left flank went inches wide of the far post. In the 40th minute, senior Kevin Swift (Clifton Park, N.Y.) rose up to head a corner service from classmate Michael Long (Hopkinton, N.H.), but his shot was right at Ephs’ senior goalie Andrew Graham (Northbrook, Ill.).

Williams took a 10-7 shots advantage into halftime, and finished with a 17-13 edge.

Romero nearly gave Williams an insurance goal in the 55th minute, but Penny was equal to the task, coming out to make a point-blank save. Rensselaer junior Bryce Hutchinson (Elverson, Pa.) ripped a shot on goal from 30-yards out in the 69th minute, but it went right into the waiting arms of Graham.

In the 87th minute, Romero again had an opportunity to the cushion the Ephs lead, when he got in behind the Engineers’ defense, but his shot found the left post and RPI was able to clear the area.

Earning the final of its seven corners on the day in the final minute, Rensselaer had a pair of tries inside a congested penalty area, but shots by seniors Jabel Prom (Sandy Spring, Md.) and Swift were blocked by Williams defenders.

Graham earned the win for the Ephs, making three saves, while Penny recorded five stops.