Box Score | 2013 Schedule & Results

NEW PALTZ, NY -- Dani Ackerman scored two goals to lead New Paltz to a 4-2 win over Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) in non-conference field hockey action on Saturday afternoon at Turf Field. With the loss, RPI drops to 4-9 overall, while New Paltz improves to 9-6 on the season.

The Hawks scored first, getting on the board just 3:22 into the game, as Danielle Conklin passed ahead to Kayla McKeveny in the center of the circle, where McKeveny slipped the ball past RPI's Hannah Clough (Acton, MA/Acton-Boxborough Regional). New Paltz doubled their advantage in the 18th minutews with Ackerman's first tally, taking an assist from McKeveny's rebound. The Hawks held onto the two-goal lead for the remainder of the half, outshooting the Engineers, 13-4.

Ackerman struck again to start the second half, this time putting an unassisted shot in the back of the cage in the 37th minute. RPI answered at 41:01 with a goal by Hana Murphy. Jen Piselli (Branford, CT / Hamden Hall Country Day School) took an initial shot on goal, which rebounded back to Murphy, who capitalized on the opportunity. The Hawks would go up by three goals once again five minutes later, however, as Conklin provided her second assist on the day, this time passing to Alicia Aragosa. RPI took control of the ensuing possession, and Claire Cecilio (San Jose, CA / Archbishop Mitty) found the back of the cage with an assist from Molly Zuk (Stoughton, MA / Stoughton).

New Paltz outshot the Engineers, 30-9, including a 20-4 on-goal advantage, while also posting a 10-5 lead in penalty corners. Clough recorded her sixth double-digit save total with 16 stops, while the Hawks goalkeeper Antonija Pjetri finished with two saves.

RPI will return to action on Wednesday, hosting Vassar in a Liberty League contest at 5pm.