Box Score Box Score

CASTLETON, Vt. - Freshman Sara Rothschild (Manlius, NY/Fayetteville-Manlius) tallied a goal and an assist to lead the Rensselaer women's soccer team past Castleton State, 2-0, in non-conference action at Spartan Stadium. With the victory, the Engineers open the season at 1-0 for the fourth straight year, while the Spartans begin their 2010 campaign at 0-1.

Rothschild put pressure on the Spartan defense from the beginning, and finally helped put the Engineers on the board in the 22nd minute of play. After beating her defender and drawing the next line of defense, Rothschild slipped a short cross into the box to a waiting Nikki Goodsell (Danbury, CT/Danbury) who took two touches and beat Castleton keeper Ericka Davis (Cambridge, Vt.) low for what proved to be the game-winner.

Castleton had several chances at a first-half equalizer, but the RPI defense and keeper freshman Stephanie Vargas (Fogelsville, PA/Allentown Central Catholic) stopped the Spartans at every turn. Hilary Cooke (Marlborough, Conn.) put a pair of shots on net that Vargas turned away, and Megan Blongy sent an early shot sailing over the crossbar in a one-on-one situation, with Vargas coming out to cut off her angle.

The Engineers took over in the second half, out-shooting their hosts 9-1 and out-cornering the Spartans 4-0. Rothschild converted an unassisted tally in the 60th minute, converting a Spartan turnover into her first collegiate goal.

Davis stopped eight shots in the Spartan loss, while Vargas made three saves in earning the season-opening shutout.

Castleton returns to action Sunday when Johnson and Wales comes to Spartan Stadium (3:30pm). RPI will play its home opener on Sunday at ECAV Stadium, when the Engineers play host to Wellesley (12pm).