Women's Soccer Downs Utica, 6-1

Rothschild records a hat-trick; Maguire nets two for the Engineers

Shannon Maguire

Box Score Box Score

UTICA, N.Y. – Powered by a hat-trick from rookie Sara Rothschild and a pair of goals by sophomore Shannon Maguire, the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) women's soccer team downed Utica College, 6-1, in non-conference action on Saturday. With the win, the Engineers move to 3-2-1 on the season, while the Pioneers drop to 1-5-0 overall.

Utica struck quickly in the opening minute of the contest as senior Amber Comeau (Medford, MA/Arlington Catholic) connected on a pass from freshman Sarah Southwell (Rome, NY/Rome) just 27 seconds into the game.

RPI answered minutes later as rookie Sara Rothschild (Manlius, NY/Fayetteville-Manlius) sent in a pass from sophomore Lauren Brumbaugh (Katy, TX/Cinco Ranch) in the third minute. The Engineers struck once again less than three minutes later as Rothschild got the ball past Utica keeper Stephanie Simonds (Sidney, NY/Sidney) for her second tally of the contest and a 2-1 advantage for RPI.

Sophomore Shannon Maguire (Randolph, NJ/Randolph) added to the visitors lead in the 19th minute as her shot got past Simonds to put the Engineers up two goals (3-1).

The Pioneers, looking to stop the bleeding after three straight tallies by RPI, pulled Simonds in favor of Jocelyn Rivera (Yonkers, NY/Gorton). The rookie netminder was able to hold off the Engineers over the final 26 minutes of the half, making one save.

In addition to the three goals in the opening half, Rensselaer had a number of chances as they peppered the Utica goal by a 14-6 shot margin (11-3 on goal).

Maguire built up the lead to three to open the second half as she sent a bullet shot toward the net from 25-yards out past the diving keeper just fifteen seconds in. She was assisted by Brumbaugh on the goal.

In the 56th minute, Rothschild sealed up the hat trick as she came down the middle, sending a shot into the Utica goal for her fourth tally of the year – which is a team-best – to make it a 5-1 lead for the Engineers.

Brumbaugh pushed Rensselaer's advantage to five in the 73rd minute after she headed in a shot off the foot of sophomore Tessa McGee (Washington, DC/Maret School).

In goal, rookie Stephanie Vargas (Fogelsville, PA/Allentown Central Catholic) picked up the victory, stopping two shots. Sophomore Melissa Pinsonneault (Hudson, NH/Bishop Guertin) came on in relief for the second half, making two saves. For Utica, Rivera made six stops, while Simonds had seven stops on the day.

Rensselaer is back in action this weekend, opening Liberty League play on the road at Clarkson and St. Lawrence on Friday (4pm) and Saturday (2pm), respectively. Utica returns to the pitch next Sunday, hosting Empire 8 rival Alfred at 1pm.

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