TROY, N.Y. -- Both teams scored once in the first half, but it would take penalty shots to decide the winner, as Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) fell to New Paltz, 2-1, in non-conference field hockey action on Wednesday evening at Harkness Field. With the loss, the Engineers drop to 4-10 overall, while New Paltz improves to 11-5.

Molly Zuk (Stoughton, MA / Stoughton) got RPI on the board first, just 2:49 into play. Hana Murphy (Westport, MA / Tilton School) passed the ball from the right side of the cage to the left corner where Zuk was waiting to tip the ball into the cage. New Paltz tied the game before the end of the half, as Dani Ackerman (Nesconset, NY / Smithtown East) smacked a hard shot off the inserting pass from Deirdre O'Neill (New City, NY /Clarkstown South) on a penalty corner.

The two teams then played through the second half, and two ensuing overtimes without a score, sending the game to penalty shots. In a shootout, each team chooses five players to go one-on-one with the opposing goalkeeper. Whichever team scores the most goals is deemed the winner. Ackerman went first for New Paltz and scored, while Jessica Caruana (Holbrook, NY / Sachem East) also converted her attempt against RPI goalkeeper Hannah Clough (Acton, MA / Acton-Boxborough Regional). The Engineers were unable to score on four attempts, giving the Hawks the victory.

Clough was stellar in the cage for Rensselaer, making a career-high 25 saves. Alayna Wageman (Getzville, NY / WIlliamsville North) stopped 11 shots for New Paltz. The Hawks outshot the Engineers, 36-21, and held a 13-7 advantage in penalty corners. 

RPI will return to action on Saturday, as they travel to Utica in further non-conference action.