ANNANDALE-ON-HUDSON, N.Y. - It's probably not a reason to celebrate if you play one of your most complete games and lose.

So there was no joy on the Bard sideline on Saturday, when 15th-ranked Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute escaped with a 1-0 win in the Liberty League opener for both teams.

At least it wasn't a cheap goal that beat them.

Junior Devon Baughen (Sarasota, FL) bent a beautifully-placed direct kick from 24 yards out around the wall and over the hands of Bard goalkeeper Daniel Gagne in the 52nd minute, and the Engineers hung on for a hard-fought victory.

Bard (4-3-1, 0-1-0 Liberty League) thought it had the equalizer midway through the second half, when they headed in a corner kick, but the Raptors were cited for obstructing RPI keeper Ryan Nealon (Somers, NY), and the goal was disallowed.

Both teams had other opportunities to score. Baughen hit the post in the first half, and Nathaniel Gunderson (Olympia, WA) hit the crossbar in the second half. Nealon made two key stops in the second half off of Tamaki Chiba and Brendan Byrne.

Total shots were 14-11 in RPI's favor; shots on goal were 8-7 for RPI. Gagne and Nealon each made seven saves.

Up next for Bard is a non-league game against City College of New York on Wednesday night. Follow it live right here.