Box Score / Video

TROY, N.Y. – Powered by goals in the first and third periods, the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) women's hockey team defeated Boston University, 2-0, in non-conference action at the Houston Field House. The win, which was the first of the season for the Engineers, brings their record to 1-1-0. The Terriers fall to 1-1-0.

It was the Engineers who struck first in the opening period as sophomore left winger Kendra Dunlop's (Granum, AB/Warner Hockey School) shot from the left circle rifled over the shoulder of Terriers' goalie Allyse Wilcox (Grand Blanc, MI/Honeybaked) at 12:17. Junior center Whitney Naslund (Bloomington, MN/Bloomington Jefferson) started the play after she won the face off in the neutral zone and sent it back to freshman defenseman Sierra Vadner (Apple Valley, MN/Minnesota Thoroughbreds), who chipped it up to Dunlop for the score.

Though no goals were scored in the middle stanza, Boston University put the pressure on, outshooting RPI, 11-9, in the period. Both teams saw ample chances to bury the puck, but the Engineers defense held strong, blocking a number of shots.

Netminder Sonja van der Bliek (Toronto, ON/Toronto Jr. Aeros) made several solid stops, including a close range wrister off the stick of Terriers' freshman Jenelle Kohanchuk (Winnipeg, MB/Balmoral School), whose second shot immediately after was blocked by senior defender Melissa Boik (Allen Park, MI/Michigan Capitals).

In the third period, Rensselaer added an insurance goal after a junior right winger Allysen Weidner (Wichita, KS/Shattuck St. Mary's) put one past Wilcox at 18:53. Classmate Allison Wright (Oakville, ON/Oakville Ice) started the play when she chipped the puck up the senior center Jamie-Lynn Stewart (Cambridge, ON/Cambridge Jr. Fury) in the neutral zone.

With time winding down on the clock, Boston University attempted to pull its goaltender, but Stewart caught the move and sent a quick shot up to a speeding Weidner. Settling the puck, Weidner ducked around Wilcox as she attempted to get back into the net, for her first tally of the season.

The Terriers did pull Wilcox for the final 59 seconds, but could not solve van der Bliek, who finished with 23 saves in the victory. Wilcox made 33 saves, including 13 in the first period, to shoulder the loss.

RPI returns to action next Saturday when it travels to Boston College for a 4pm face-off against the Eagles. Boston University is back on the ice next Friday and Saturday, hosting Mercyhurst for a two-game set.