RPI Vs. Union

TROY, N.Y. – Senior Tyler Willey’s goal in the 68th minute gave Union College a one-goal advantage and the Dutchwomen held on for a 2-1 come-from-behind victory over Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) in Liberty League field hockey action at Harkness Field. With the victory, Union evens its record at 5-5 and is now 2-2 in conference play. The Engineers are now 3-8 on the season and 1-3 in the Liberty League.

With RPI holding a 1-0 lead in the second half after a goal by senior Alex Lamparski (Malvern, PA/Country Day School of the Sacred Heart), Union mounted a comeback as sophomore Lauren Winchell (Glens Falls, NY/Glens Falls) sent the ball out of the circle on a penalty corner. The ball carried out to senior Alex King (Chester Springs, PA/The Shipley School), who settled it and sent it back in where Winchell curved around RPI netminder Briana Earle (Baldwinsville, NY/C.W. Baker) for the shot at the open goal in the 68th minute.

Willey (Stockton, NJ/The Hun School of Princeton) then gave the visitors the 2-1 advantage less than three minutes later after collecting a pass from senior Shannon Brady (Bernardston, MA/Greenfield) in front. Through a scramble, Willey managed to get her stick down and send it into the left corner of the box past Earle for the go-ahead goal.

Union, which held a 16-5 advantage in shots for the second half, played a staunch defense in the waning minutes and effectively shut down the Engineers opportunities.

Neither team found the back of the net in the opening stanza, but Rensselaer broke onto the scoreboard first in the second half. Sophomore Holly Dupuis (Brookfield, MA/Worcester Academy) set up the Engineers’ goal, sending in a long shot from outside the circle, which was deflected in front by Lamparski in the 46th minute.

Both goaltenders had fantastic outings at either end as Union netminder Sarah Rios (Queensbury, NY/Glens Falls) stopped seven shots for the victory, including five stops in the first half. For RPI, Earle finished with 10 saves, making six stops in the second half of the contest.

Union senior Kelsey Powers (Naples, ME/Lake Region) led all players in shots for the game, notching 11 total, including five on goal, while Rensselaer senior Sandy Turnbull (Upperville, VA/Chatham Hall) had a team-best five shots, including three that were turned aside by Rios.

Both teams are back in action on Saturday as the Engineers welcome #9 Skidmore to Harkness Field. Union heads to Poughkeepsie to face Vassar. Both contests begin at 2pm.