Box Score Box Score / Standings

TROY, N.Y. – Sophomore Brianna Kilberg (McMurray, PA/Peters Township) punched in a rebound just 1:18 into overtime to lift the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) field hockey team to a thrilling 3-2 victory over Utica College in non-conference action at Harkness Field.  With the win the Engineers are now 9-4 on the season, while the Pioneers slip to 9-6 overall.
 
Locked in a 2-2 tie with ten minutes left to play, both teams were aggressive in one another's zones.  Neither team would be able to capitalize as they headed into overtime – the fourth extra-session game of the year for both teams.
 
After an strong start to the overtime by the visiting Pioneers, the Engineers got their break as rookie Chloe Hutchinson (New Hartford, NY/New Hartford) intercepted a Utica pass and quickly sent the ball up to classmate Liana Viaggio (Mahopac, NY/Mahopac) near the midfield.  Corralling the ball, Viaggio took off at top speed down the right side on a 2-on-0 break for RPI. 
 
Viaggio ripped a shot at senior netminder Monica Storms (Owego, NY/Owego), who dove out to make the save.  She was unable to control the rebound as the ball landed on the stick of Kilberg at the left side, who punched it in to the open net and the victory.
 
Utica opened the game's scoring just 15:28 into the frame as senior Jessica Ahern (Bangor, PA/Bangor) arched around a pile-up in front for a shot past the right side of RPI netminder Briana Earle (Baldwinsville, NY/C.W. Baker).  The unassisted tally was started off a corner shot, which got sent into the middle and bounced around off multiple sticks in front before getting to Ahern.
 
The Engineers – who improved to 7-0 at home on the season with the victory - answered just over six minutes later as senior Julie Campbell (Pittsburgh, PA/Fox Chapel Area) re-directed in a shot by junior captain Alissa Peterson (Gaithersburg, MD/Quince Orchard), who shot from just outside the scoring arc.
 
RPI would head into the second half with a 2-1 advantage after Viaggio scored at 27:20.  After a scramble in front of the Utica net, the rookie forward found the loose ball and sent a high-arching shot up over the sprawled goaltender and into the back of the net.
 
The Pioneers made things interesting with just over 10 minutes left in the game as team and Empire-8 leading goal scorer Louise Steele-Norton (Avondale, PA/Millbrook School) recorded her 12th of the season.  Freshman Hannah Mackey (Central Locke, NY/Moravia) earned the assist after she carried the ball down the right side and crossed it over to Steele-Norton on the left.
 
It was an evenly matched game from the start as RPI held just an 18-16 advantage in shots.  The Engineers also had eight corners to Utica's four.  In goal, Earle moved to 9-4 with six saves, while Storms slipped to 9-6 after stopping five shots.
 
Rensselaer is back in action on Saturday when it continues its four-game homestand against SUNY Oneonta at 11am on Harkness Field.  Utica is also in action on Saturday against Empire-8 rival Ithaca at home at 6pm.

For news and updates regarding RPI field hockey, fans can follow Engineers Athletics on Facebook (RPI Athletics) and via Twitter (@rpiathletics).  Photos of Rensselaer student-athletes can be purchased at http://www.rpiathletics.com/photos.