Box Score Box Score

BURLINGTON, Vt. – Senior captain Taylor Horton had two goals and an assist to lead the Rensselaer Engineers to a 5-1 victory over the Vermont women's hockey team Wednesday night at Gutterson Fieldhouse.

After a scoreless first period Jordan Smelker opened the scoring for the Engineers 48 seconds into the second frame. Smelker scored on a snap shot from the slot that went in under the pad of Vermont goaltender Kelci Lanthier. Brandi Banks and Horton assisted on Smelker's third goal of the season.

Horton scored on a great individual effort just over two minutes later. She cut in front of the net and while skating to her right she shot back to the left to give the Engineers a two-goal cushion.

Alexa Gruschow scored her team leading fifth goal of the season at the 16:52 mark of the second period. She gathered a loose puck in front of net and beat Lanthier with a quick shot. Gruschow's tally was assisted by Andie Le Donne and Jenn Godin.

The Engineers added two third period goals to pull away from the Catamounts. Horton added another goal at 5:44 of the third period and Gruschow scored her sixth goal of the season at the 7:44 mark to close out the scoring for Rensselaer.

Vermont got on the board midway through the third period on the power play. A Valerie Stoul shot from inside the faceoff circle deflected off Kellie Dineen's skate and in for Dineen's first goal of the season. Erin Wente picked up the second assist on the play.

Brianna Piper made nine saves in 36 minutes of action to earn her first win of the season for the Engineers. Kelly O'Brien made nine saves for RPI after replacing Piper in the second period. Lanthier made 29 saves for Vermont in her second straight appearance for the Catamounts.

Vermont returns to action this weekend as they host Robert Morris in a two-game series at Gutterson Fieldhouse. The Catamounts will face the Colonials at 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.