Box Score
Box Score

TROY, N.Y. – Behind a pair of goals from freshman forward Stephanie Sayward, the St. Lawrence University women's soccer team defeated Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), 4-0, in the Liberty League finale for both teams. The Saints improve to 9-6-3 overall and 2-4-1 in conference play, while the Engineers drop to 4-11-1 and 1-6-0 in the Liberty League.

St. Lawrence grabbed the first lead of the game in the 26th minute after sophomore Kristina Peso (Niagara on the Lake, ON/Holy Cross Catholic) sent a pass from the outside left to classmate Marcelle Justison (Oakland, CA/Bishop O'Dowd) in the middle. Justison one-touched the ball for the shot past a diving Melissa Pinsonneault (Hudson, NH/Hudson).

The Saints took a 2-0 lead in the 38th minute when Sayward (Derry, NH/Pinkerton Academy) rifled a shot into the left corner off a direct pass from behind her by freshman Alex Troli (Montreal, PQ/Kent School).

Despite an 11-9 shot advantage in the first half, the Engineers were unable to capitalize on a number of quality chances in the first 45 minutes. Many of RPI's best shots came off the foot of rookie Shannon Maguire (Randolph, NJ/Randolph), who had five attempts in the first half, including a hard shot from the right side which was saved near the goal post.

Second half momentum stayed with the visiting Saints as Sayward once again found the back of net in the 71st minute, sending a high shot off a cross from sophomore Katharine Polido (Stow, MA/Nashoba Regional) past Pinsonneault on the left side.

The Saints made it a four-goal advantage in the 88th minute as senior Meg Howard (Shelburne, VT/Champlain Valley Union) found a loose ball in traffic off a corner kick and banged it in.

The Engineers continued to press but were unable to get one past St. Lawrence keeper Abby van Geldern (Rowayton, CT/Brien McMahon), who finished with seven saves. Pinsonneault also finished with seven stops for RPI.

Rensselaer held a slight advantage in shots, 17-16, while St. Lawrence had the edge in corner kicks, 5-3.

The Engineers are back in action on Wednesday when they host Hartwick in a non-conference match at East Campus Stadium (7pm).  St. Lawrence concluded its regular season with today's match.