Box Score
Box Score / Video

TROY, N.Y. – Senior forward Kristiina Baker (Bolton, MA/Nashoba Regional) scored with 4:41 left in overtime to lift the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) field hockey team to a 3-2 victory over #11 William Smith on Saturday at Harkness Field. With the win, the Red Hawks improve to 7-2 overall (2-0 Liberty League), while Herons fall to 7-1 (1-1 Liberty League).

Baker, who received a pass from sophomore Jessica Corrigan (South Burlington, VT/Northfield Mount Herman) right in front of the William Smith cage, beat Herons netminder Katie DeKraker (Westport, CT/Staples) for the game-winning tally.

The Red Hawks used a 12-5 second half edge in shots to carry momentum into the overtime period. RPI finished with a 21-16 advantage in total shots, as well as a 16-11 edge in penalty corners.

The Herons opened the scoring in the first half when senior forward Kelsey Landahl (Delevan, NY/Pioneer) set up classmate Jamie Tucciarone (Clinton, NY/Clinton) in front of the RPI cage for a 1-0 lead at 7:10.

With less than 30 second to play in the first half, Red Hawks' sophomore forward Sandy Turnbull (Upperville, VA/Chatham Hall) evened the score at 1-1. After playing a penalty corner to senior Sara Stylinski (Southington, CT/Southington) on the short side, Turnbull cut to the net for a return pass and scored for her fifth goal of the season.

In the second half, Rensselaer junior Shaina Feldman (Phoenixville, PA/Phoenixville Area) picked up a rebound six yards from goal and buried it fpr a 2-1 lead at 42:43.

William Smith answered at 59:40.  After a shot by freshman Kiersten Hamilton (Harpursville, NY/Harpursville) was saved, Tucciarone won the ball out of a scramble in front of the RPI net and scored to tie the game at 2-2.

RPI goaltender Briana Earle (Baldwinsville, NY/C.W. Baker), who improves to 6-2 on the season, made 11 saves. DeKraker, who falls to 7-1, made nine stops.

Rensselaer returns to action on Wednesday, when it travels to Poughkeepsie to face Liberty League rival Vassar (4pm). William Smith also plays Wednesday, as the Herons host Rochester (7pm).¬