Box Score Box Score

TROY, N.Y. – Behind two goals in each half, including a pair from sophomore forward Jessica Tietgens (Stamford, VT/Drury), Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) defeated Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), 4-1, in non-conference action this afternoon. With the victory, the Trailblazers improve to 6-2 while the Red Hawks fall to 5-2.

After battling even through the first 35 minutes, the Trailblazers got on the board as sophomore Samantha Miller (Reading, MA/Reading) corralled a pass from classmate Danielle Parenteau (Southampton, MA/Hampshire Reg.) and lobbed it into the right corner from the left side at 35:51.

MCLA took a 2-0 lead just 32 seconds later as Tietgens fought past an RPI defender down the left side. Red Hawks goalie Meghan White (Kingston, NY/Kingston) came out to make the play but went too far as Tietgens slid it past her into the right corner.

RPI had several chances to get onto the scoreboard in the first half, but MCLA goalie CeCe Von Tiesenhausen-Hush (Arlington, VT/Miss Hall's School) came up with several big saves, including a diving stop on a Stephanie Caouette (Wynantskill, NY/Columbia) cross to Alexandra Fontanetta (Neshanic Station, NJ/Mount Saint Mary Academy) in front with under two minutes remaining.

In the second half, the visiting Trailblazers added to their lead as Tietgens scored her second of the game at 56:52. Splitting the Rensselaer defense, she shifted right for a clean goal past White.

Sophomore Harmony McGorman (Orleans, MA/Nauset Reg.) made it a four-goal advantage for MCLA after she collected a pass from Tietgens and ducked around a Red Hawks defender. The ball careened off the left post and in past the reach of White at 78:51.

RPI cut the lead to 4-1 at the 86:25 mark after Caouette drilled the ball in from 20-yards out past Tiesenhausen-Hush, but the Red Hawks could not make up the difference before time expired.

In goal, Tiesenhausen-Hush made eight stops in the win for the Trailblazers while White recorded nine saves in the loss for RPI, which held a slim 23-21 lead in shots.

The Red Hawks return to action this weekend when they open Liberty League play against #22 Skidmore and Union on Friday (4pm) and Saturday (2pm). Live stats will be available at http://sidearmstats.com/rpi/wsoc/.  The Trailblazers return to action on Saturday when they open MASCAC play at home against Worcester State (1pm).