Box Score
Box Score

TROY, N.Y. – Powered by a pair of first half goals, the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) field hockey team defeated Utica College, 2-0, in non-conference action at Harkness Field. The Engineers improve to 4-11. With the victory, Rensselaer head coach Bridget LaNoir set the school record for career wins with 71. Utica falls to 7-6.

The Engineers jumped out to a 2-0 lead through the first 35 minutes of action off of goals by seniors Joanna Aliprando (Basking Ridge, NJ/Ridge) and Kerri Clark (Saratoga Springs, NY/Saratoga Springs).

Aliprando got things going in the 17th minute after she found the ball off a defensive save in front and buried the rebound. Clark made it a two-goal advantage in the 32nd minute after she settled the ball along the goal line and blasted it into the far corner. Senior Megan McNamara (Johnstown, NY/Johnstown), who chipped a high shot to Clark, was credited with the assist.

Utica had its chances in the first half, but sophomore netminder Sarah Burcher (Lanexa, VA/Maggie L. Walker Governor's School) was up to the challenge, stopping four shots. Among the best chances for the Pioneers came in the 22nd minute after junior forward Lindsey Jester (Holland Patent, NY/Holland Patent) rifled a shot in on goal from the top of the arc at Burcher, who made the kick save to hold the lead.

The second half saw the Engineers continue to dominate on defense, stopping a number of shots late in the game to preserve the win. With less than seven minutes remaining in the game, Utica was awarded a penalty corner. The Pioneers nearly got on the board as sophomore Rebecca Corsones (Hurley, NY/Kingston) sent in a hard shot from the top of the arc, but Aliprando was there to block the shot.

Two more ensuing corners followed within the next four minutes and Burcher made several outstanding saves to seal the victory for RPI, finishing with eight saves in the game.

In goal for the Pioneers, sophomore Monica Storms (Owego, NY/Owego) stopped four shots. The Engineers held the advantage in shots for the game, 15-12, and led in corners, 6-5.

Rensselaer wraps up Liberty League play on Saturday and Sunday against #20 St. Lawrence (3pm) and Hamilton (1pm), respectively at Harkness Field. Utica returns to action on Wednesday with a home game against the University of Rochester (7pm).