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SCHENECTADY, N.Y. – Junior Shannon Maguire netted the game's only goal in the first half, and the Rensselaer women's soccer team held on for a 1-0 victory over Union, in Liberty League action at College Park. With the the win, the Engineers improved to 6-6-2 (3-2-1 Liberty League) while the Dutchwomen fall to 12-3-1 (2-3-1 Liberty League).

The Engineers scored early in the first half in what proved to be the game-winning goal. RPI midfielder Nikki Goodsell (Danbury, CT/Danbury) fired a long pass through the middle to Maguire (Randolph, NY/Randolph). Maguire corralled the ball inside the 18-yard box and fired a shot over Union goalkeeper Mia Simone (Rexford, NY/Acadamy of the Holy Names). The ball bounced off the inside of the crossbar and into the net in the ninth minute, giving the Engineers a 1-0 lead.

Union maintained pressure in the RPI zone for much of the remainder of the half, including a sequence of four corner kicks in less than three minutes, starting in the 28th minute, but the Dutchwomen were kept off the board by the play of RPI's defense and goaltender Stephanie Vargas (Fogelsville, PA/Allentown Central Catholic).

Union continued to generate scoring opportunities in the second half, and narrowly missed tying the game twice.

Early in the second half, Union midfielder Laura Snowden (Schenectady, NY/Schalmont) fired a shot from five yards out in the 48th minute, but Vargas was in position to make the save at the near post.

Union's best chance to score came in the 63rd minute. Senior forward Jessica Strang (Rotterdam, NY/Schalmont) cut around the RPI defense and fired a cross from just inside the end line. Junior forward Jennifer Mansfield (Hopewell Junction, NY/John Jay) redirected a shot squarely off the post, and RPI cleared the ball out of the box.

For the game, Union outshot RPI 10-8 and held a 7-2 advantage on corner kicks. Union goalkeeper Mia Simone made one save in the first half, while junior Kayla Marti (Newburgh, NY/Newburgh Free Academy) made another save in the second half. Vargas stopped four shots in net for the Engineers.

The shutout was the fourth straight for Rensselaer (3-0-1). The victory over the Dutchwomen was just the second in 26 years, and the first since 1996.

Union will take on No. 2 William Smith on the road in its next contest on Saturday (2pm), while RPI will host Bard at (6pm).