Box Score

TROY, N.Y. – The St. Lawrence University women's hockey team notched a pair of goals over the final two periods and held on for a 2-1 victory over Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) in ECAC Hockey action at the Houston Field House.  The win marks the first in conference play for the Saints, who improve to 4-3-2 overall and 1-2-0 in the league.  The Engineers slip to 2-6-3 on the season and are now 0-2-1 in conference action.
 
After a scoreless first period that saw a number of attempts on both sides, the visiting Saints broke through early in the second stanza as junior Kelly Sabatine (Hamilton, ON/Stoney Creek Jr. Sabres) got one past RPI netminder Kelly O'Brien (Sussex, WI/Madison Capitals) just 23 seconds in.
 
As Rensselaer attempted to clear the puck from their own defensive zone, senior Karell Emard (Richelieu, PQ/Dawson College Blues) fought for it at the top of the slot and managed to backhand it around a defender to sophomore Rylee Smith (Hagersville, ON/Stoney Creek Jr. Sabres) at the edge of the far circle. Smith was quick to release as she fired it through the slot to a speeding Sabatine, who wristed it over the blocker of O'Brien for the goal.
 
Despite the deficit, the Engineers continued to fight throughout the period as they held a 13-6 advantage in shots for the frame.  RPI's best chance came late in the stanza as the home team attacked deep in the slot with senior Jill Vandegrift (St. Paul, MN/Minnesota Thoroughbreds) and sophomore Jordan Smelker (Anchorage, AK/Team Alaska 19U) each getting point-blank shots at Saints goalie Caitlyn Lahonen (Warman, SK/Prince Albert A&W Bears).
 
Heading into the final period, St. Lawrence stepped up the pressure and it paid off at 12:34 as rookie defender Amanda Boulier (Watertown, CT/Connecticut Polar Bears) navigated the puck into the zone and chipped it up to classmate Ellie Williams (Pryor, OK/Shattuck-St. Mary's) at the left post from the top of the right circle.  Williams made a quick pass over to senior Vanesssa Emond (Levis, PQ/Dawson College Blues), who went top-shelf over the glove of O'Brien for the 2-0 advantage.
 
Faced with the two-goal deficit, the Engineers fought to battle back late in the period and pulled O'Brien in favor of the extra-attacker with just under three minutes to play.  The gamble paid off as rookie Eleeza Cox (St. Catharines, ON/Ridley College) notched her first collegiate goal at 18:48 to make it a one-score game.
 
Senior captain Alisa Harrison (Vienna, VA/Washington Pride) was credited with the second assist after fighting near the left point to keep the puck in the Saints zone.  She was able to chip it back to Vandegrift in the left circle, who quickly passed it up to Cox as the rookie winger blasted it past Lahonen, who finished with 24 saves in the game.
 
It was a close as Rensselaer would get despite pulling O'Brien (30 saves) for the remainder.  The Saints defense played a pivotal role as they tied up the puck in the boards behind the goal as time expired
 
Rensselaer is back on the ice on Saturday afternoon as it hosts Clarkson at 4pm.  The Saints travel to Schenectady for a 4pm contest at Union.