Box Score

ONEONTA, N.Y. - Rensselaer sophomore Natalie White (Guilford, CT/Guilford) scored 1:28 into the sudden-death overtime frame to lift the Red Hawks to a season opening 16-15 win against Oneonta State today in non-conference women's lacrosse action this afternoon.  With the victory, RPI improves to 1-0 on the season, while Oneonta St., falls to 0-1 overall.

With just over 21 minutes left to play in regulation, Oneonta had a 13-7 lead after scoring back-to-back goals.  Sophomore Kristin O'Leary (Huntington Station, NY/Walt Whitman) and junior Della Baker (Gloversville, NY/Gloversville) tallied for the Red Dragons, who were clearly carrying the play.

The visitors would not go away without a fight and, in the span of just over five minutes, cut the Oneonta lead to 13-12 on five unanswered goals.  White, who finished the game with three goals, notched No. 11 and 12 just 13 seconds apart.

Freshman Brianne Ruzek (Mineola, NY/St. Mary) scored an unassisted goal to give Oneonta some breathing room at 14-12 with just under nine minutes left in the game.  Rensselaer would score the final two goals of the game, including the game-tying goal with 15 seconds remaining, unassisted by senior Rebecca Primm (Islip Terrace, NY/East Islip).

In the first overtime period, both teams would score to force the sudden-victory period tied at 15 apiece.  Sophomore Erca Krisak (Syracuse, NY/East Syracuse-Minoa) scored for Oneonta, while sophomore Carly Strife (Saratoga Springs, NY/Saratoga) scored for Rensselaer.

Despite dominating the opening half with a 28-7 advantage in shots, Oneonta only held a 9-5 lead going into halftime.

The Red Hawks will be in action on Wednesday, when they play FDU-Florham at 9am in Florida.  The Red Dragons return to the field on Thursday, when they travel to Hartwick for a 4pm matchup.