RPI Vs Cortland

TROY, N.Y. – The SUNY Cortland field hockey team carried a one-goal lead into the second half and added two unanswered in the final 35 minutes to defeat Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), 3-0, on Saturday at Harkness Field. The Red Dragons, who have yet to allow a goal this season, are now 3-0, while the Engineers drop to 2-2 overall.

Freshman Erin Smith (Greene, NY/Greene) got the visitors on the board in the ninth minute of the game after she found a loose ball near the right corner and pushed it in. RPI goalie Briana Earle (Baldwinsville, NY/C.W. Baker) made the initial stop from her knees, but was unable to recover as Smith found the wide open net.

Despite a number of solid chances, including a point-blank shot by senior Jessica Corrigan (South Burlington, VT/Northfield Mt. Hermon) just outside the 8-meter mark, Rensselaer was unable to get one past senior keeper Ashley Hughes (Selden, NY/Comsewogue), who made two stops in the opening half.

Both teams came out with solid pressure after the intermission, battling back and forth with the ball as Earle and Hughes made several key stops. RPI senior Sandy Turnbull (Upperville, VA/Chatham Hall) nearly got the Engineers on the board after she tore up the middle and into the offensive zone, but her shot was deflected by at Red Dragons defender.

Turnbull once again had a great shot turned aside as Hughes came forward at the corner of the box and kicked the shot away and back into possession for the visitors.

Just into the 62nd minute, Smith once again came up big for SUNY Cortland, finding the loose ball in a skirmish of players in front and sliding it around Earle.

The Red Dragons continued to pressure minutes later and it paid off in the 68th minute as senior Brenda Semit (Holland Patent, NY/Holland Patent) ripped a shot from just inside the middle of the arc. The ball sailed toward the net through traffic past Earle, who was screened on the play.

Hughes continued her scoreless streak, making six stops for her third victory of the year. Earle made 11 saves in the RPI net, including seven in the first half of action to fall to 2-2 overall.

The Engineers return to action Wednesday, traveling to SUNY Oneonta for a 4pm match. SUNY Cortland is back on the field on Tuesday, hosting Hamilton at 4pm.