TROY, N.Y. -- Katie Rooney scored two goals to lead Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) over Princeton in ECAC women's hockey action on Saturday afternoon at Houston Field House, as the Engineers kicked off 2015 with a 4-3 victory over the Tigers. RPI improves to 4-12-1 overall, with a 2-5-0 mark in league play, while Princeton drops to 7-8-1, with a 5-5-0 conference slate.

The Engineers jumped out to an early 2-0 lead within the first 2:33 of play. Ali Svoboda (Arlington Heights, IL / Chicago Mission) scored the first goal of the game just 24 seconds into play. Off a faceoff, Amanda Kimmerle (Anoka, MN / Anoka) took a shot that was tipped by Svoboda into the top near post. RPI doubled its advantage at 2:33, as Rooney scored her first of the day, carrying the puck through several defenders before slipping it into the net past Princeton goaltender Kimberly Newell (Vancouver, BC / Kootney Ice). 

Princeton scored the next two goals of the game to tie the score. Hilary Lloyd (Toronto, ON / Mississauga Jr. Chiefs) scored the Tigers first tally after a flurry of action in front of the crease. Jaimie McDonell (East York, ON / Toronto Jr. Aeros) passed the puck across to Lloyd, who knocked it into the net at 6:36. Lloyd scored her second of the game, with the assist once again going to McDonell, as she zipped the puck through the crease, where Lloyd was waiting to shoot into the far high post. 

RPI would take a lead into the first intermission, however, after Rooney netted her second goal at 15:52. Mariana Walsh (Walpole, MA / Assabet Valley) took the inital shot, which rebounded back onto Rooney's stick, and then got shot just past Newell. 

Princeton tied the game up once again at 8:09 of the second period. Molly Contini (Arthur, ON / KW Rangers) deflected an initial shot by Ali Pankowski (Laguna Hills, CA / NAHA). Molly Strabley (Yarmouth, ME / Assabet Valley) picked up the secondary assist. 

Just over four minutes later, Rensselaer would take its final lead of the game, as Marisa Raspa (Downington, PA / N.A. Hockey Academy) took a hard wrist shot that sent the puck just over Newell's glove. Alexa Gruschow (Mechanicsburg, PA / Washington Pride) and Taylor Mahoney (Cary, IL / Chicago Mission) were credited with assists on the gamewinner. 

Princeton outshot the Engineers, 33-21, in the game, while RPI won 28-of-51 faceoffs. Kelly O'Brien (Sussex, WI / Madison Captials) recorded 30 saves in the net for the Engineers, while Newell stopped 17 opposing shots. 

Rensselaer will return to action on Saturday afternoon, continuing ECAC play, hosting Quinnipiac at 3 p.m.