Box Score / Video

TROY, N.Y. – Behind a pair of 5-on-3 power play goals in the third period, the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) women's ice hockey team defeated Yale University, 2-1, in ECAC Hockey action on Saturday. The Engineers, who picked up their first-ever victory over Yale, improve to 5-4-0 overall and are undefeated in conference play at 2-0-0. The Bulldogs drop to 1-2-0 on the season and 1-1-0 in ECAC Hockey.

After two scoreless periods to open the game, Yale struck first just 45 seconds into the third period on a tally by senior defenseman Helen Resor (Greenwich, CT/U.S. Olympic Team). Junior Alyssa Clarke (Donkin, NS/Team Nova Scotia) earned the lone assist on the goal after her shot from the far circle, slid into a pile-up in front of the goal. Resor found the loose puck through a mess of players and inched it in over the line.

Rensselaer answered just under four minutes later as junior Allison Wright (Oakville, ON/Oakville Ice) capitalized on the power play to tie things up. With a pair of Bulldogs in the box, Laura Gersten (Queensbury, NY/Troy-Albany Ice Cats) ripped a shot from the right point, which sailed into traffic and was re-directed in by Wright in front at 4:20.

The Engineers pulled ahead mid-way through the frame as Yale once again found itself with a pair of players in the penalty box. Senior Nicole McDonald (Ottawa, ON/Ottawa Raiders) found the puck and skated in behind the net. Her pass landed on the stick of Allysen Weidner (Wichita, KS/Shattuck St. Mary's), who lifted it over the reach of Bulldogs goalie Genny Ladiges (Almonte, ON/Ottawa Jr. Capitals) for the eventual game-winner at 12:34.

Yale attempted to pull even with Rensselaer late in the game, pulling Ladiges with 56 seconds left on the clock in favor of the extra-attacker. The Engineers held strong as the defense blocked several shots to secure the win.

Rensselaer, which outshot the Bulldogs, 25-23 in the contest, saw Sonja van der Bliek (Toronto, ON/Toronto Jr. Aeros) make 22 saves to improve to 4-3-0 on the season. Landiges stopped 23 shots and is now 1-1-0 overall.

In addition to its first victory over Yale, having gone 0-5-1 prior to today's game, the Engineers picked up their first-ever ECAC Hockey league opening weekend sweep.

The Engineers return to action next weekend when they travel to nationally-ranked Harvard and Dartmouth on Friday (7pm) and Saturday (4pm), respectively. Yale is also back on the ice on next weekend, hosting North Country rivals St. Lawrence and Clarkson on Friday (7pm) and Saturday (4pm), respectively.