The nationally-ranked #19 St. Lawrence University men's soccer team edged Liberty League opponent RIT, 1-0, on Saturday afternoon at Sandy MacAllaster Field. The Saints, who improve to 8-1-2 (4-0), got a goal from junior Austin Roney in the 20th minute and a stellar defensive performance from goalkeeper Aaron Costello en route to the victory.

In the opening half, RIT slowly got into an offensive rhythm and was creating several good scoring opportunities. Costello, however, single-handedly kept the Tigers off the board, making four very impressive first half saves.

Despite RIT's solid play in the first half, it was St. Lawrence that was able to break through to take a 1-0 lead with Austin Roney scoring his first goal of the season off a restart. Andrew Bednarsky launched a perfectly placed ball to the opposite corner, where Roney one-touched a sliding shot past RIT goalkeeper Mark Reeves to give his team the 1-0 lead that would stand for the remainder of the game.

RIT had a few other opportunities to score in the second half, but none would fall. St. Lawrence and Costello got a little bit of luck in the 66th minute. Bobby Spear's low shot from just outside the 18-yard box went beyond the outstretched hands of a diving Costello, but hit the far post.

St. Lawrence held edges in both shots (11-9) and corners (3-2). Costello made five saves on the day to improve to 8-0-2 with his ninth shutout of the season.

The Saints earned the victory in front the 1999 national champion men's soccer team, which was inducted into the St. Lawrence Athletic Hall of Fame earlier in the day. The 1999 team was recognized at the half, along with the six individual hall of fame inductees.

The Saints will travel across town to SUNY Canton tomorrow afternoon for a match at 2:00 pm.