Box Score

TROY, N.Y. – Junior captain Nikki Goodsell's first half goal stood as the game-winner as the Rensselaer women's soccer team went on to shut out Utica College, 3-0, this afternoon, in non-league action at East Campus Stadium. With the win, the Engineers improve to 2-4-1 overall, while the Pioneers drop to 2-3-0.

Sophomore Sara Rothschild (Manlius, NY/Fayetteville-Manlius) picked up assists on the Engineers' first two goals on crosses from the right flank.

In the seventh minute, Rothschild sent a cross in towards the near post for Goodsell (Danbury, CT/Danbury), who thighed home Rensselaer's first goal.

The Engineers then had a number of chances to add to their lead in the first half, including attempts by Rothschild and Goodsell that were off the mark. In the 30th minute, Goodsell left-footed a shot just wide of the right post. Junior Shannon Maguire (Randolph, NJ/Randolph) then sent Goodsell in a breakaway in the 34th minute, but again her effort slid right of the target.

Utica's best chance to score came in the 43rd minute of play, when sophomore Samantha Matthews (Valley Falls, NY/Tamarac) rolled a shot wide of the frame.

Rensselaer held an 8-1 shooting edge in the opening 45 minutes, including a 4-0 advantage in shots on goal.

In the 57th minute, sophomore Alex Shaw (Jamison, PA/Central Bucks HS East) made a run across the top of the penalty area before sending in a dangerous cross that just sailed over the head of Rothschild.

Maguire knocked home the Engineers' second goal in the 63rd minute off of a cross by Rothschild. In a nearly identical set-up to the first goal of the contest, Rothschild carried the ball up the right flank, before sending a ball into the six for Maguire.

RPI freshman Taylor Korytko (Tampa, FL/Hamilton) extended the lead to 3-0, when she blasted a shot into the top right corner of the net from 15 yards out. Maguire played Korytko up the left side, where she carried the ball into the box and buried her third goal of the season.

Stephanie Vargas (Fogelsville, PA/Allentown Central Catholic) earned the win without needing to record a save. Utica senior goalkeeper Samantha Glocking (Carleton Place, ON/Tilton School) finished with eight saves.

RPI is back action next Saturday, when it visits Vassar for its Liberty League opener (2pm). The Pioneers host Hamilton tomorrow (1pm).