Box Score Box Score

TROY, N.Y. – Junior Stephanie Caouette's goal just 39 seconds into double overtime sealed a 9-8 victory for the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) women's lacrosse team as they defeated William Smith College for the first time in school history. With the win, the Engineers improve to 4-3 overall and are 1-1 in the Liberty League. The Herons are now 4-3 and 1-1 in conference action.

Prior to Saturday's contest, William Smith had claimed victory in all 15 meetings, dating back to the first game between the two schools on March 30, 1996.

Holding a 7-4 lead after the opening half, the Engineers scored less than five minutes into the second stanza, but the visitors came roaring back. Behind back-to-back goals from sophomore attach Rosie Scheibel (Auburn, NY/Auburn), William Smith was able to cut the deficit to 8-6 with 16:06 left in the contest.

The Herons added two more goals in the final 12:04 to make it an 8-all game and force the Engineers into their first overtime of the season. Neither team was able to capitalize through six minutes of the first overtime (separated into two three-minute sessions), but Rensselaer certainly had its chances in the final three minutes, possessing the ball for the majority of the frame. The Engineers crashed the net several times in the final 30 seconds, but were unable to get past freshman goalie Jesse Wilson (Rutland, VT/Rutland), who came up big to force a sudden death three-minute overtime.

Off a successful draw, Caouette (Wynantskill, NY/Columbia) carried the ball deep into the William Smith zone, dropping a pass over to senior Sam Fennessey (Gansevoort, NY/Saratoga Springs) just behind the net. Finding the lane blocked toward the front, Fennessey flipped the ball back to Caouette on the right, who split the defense for the game-winner past Wilson.

Despite scoring first to start the game, Rensselaer quickly found itself in a 3-1 hole at the 21:51 mark behind goals from three different Herons scorers. The Engineers found their way back quickly, rallying off six straight goals, including a tally and a helper from junior Afton Marshall (Windham, NH/Salem) to make it a 7-3 advantage with 5:39 in the first half. William Smith's Cassie Findlay (Riverside, CT/Episcopal) cut the deficit to three just 14 seconds later for the 7-4 halftime margin.

In addition to Caouette, who had two goals in the game, Rensselaer saw rookie Alissa Peterson (Gaithersburg, MD/Quince Orchard) score a game-best three goals. Marshall and Fennessey each posted a goal and an assist, while sophomores Emma Albert (Baldwinsville, NY/CW Baker) and Laura Connor (Clifton Park, NY/Shenendehowa) also tallied. In goal, senior Ariana Hood (Severn, MD/Old Mill) picked up the win, stopping eight shots in 66:39 minutes of action.

For William Smith, senior Molly Fitzgerald (Sudbury, MA/Gould Academy) had two goals and an assist. Scheibel added a pair of goals, while sophomore Kathryn Gillan (Brookline, MA/Brookline) also had two tallies and rookie Marissa Potter (Concord, MA/Concord Carlisle) chipped in with a goal and an assist. Wilson recorded 10 stops in the loss for the Herons.

Both teams resume Liberty League play next weekend. The Engineers head to Skidmore and #13 Union on Friday (4pm) and Saturday (2pm), respectively, while William Smith hosts Clarkson and St. Lawrence, also on Friday (4pm) and Saturday (3pm).