TROY, N.Y. -- Molly Zuk recorded a hat trick in her final home game as an Engineer, leading Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) to a 7-1 win over Castleton in non-conference field hockey action on Tuesday evening at Harkness Field. The Engineers stand at 5-11 overall heading into the season finale, while the Spartans drop to 2-14.

RPI scored two quick goals in the first half to take a 2-0 lead after just over 13 minutes. Megan Jones (Stevensville, MD / Kent Island) scored the first at 10:51, as Hana Murphy (Westport, MA / Tilton School) passed the ball across the cage, where Jones was able to tip it in past Castleton goalkeeper Jess Galatioto (Queensbury, NY / Queensbury). Murphy than scored her first of two goals at 13:03. Jena Nawfel (Waterville, ME / Waterville) took an initial shot that Galatioto saved, and Murphy collected the rebound and put it back for the score.

Castleton got on the board at 19:10 on a penalty corner. Haley Spittle (Duxbury, VT / Harwood) passed the ball out to Kristy Pinkham (Brandon, VT / Otter Valley), who smashed the ball straight into the back of the cage.

The Engineers would score twice more before the end of the half. Murphy netted her second of the day at 25:38, tipping in a long shot from Celia D'Agostino (Saratoga Springs, NY / Saratoga Springs). Zuk (Stoughton, MA / Stoughton) scored the first of her three just before the end of the first half, as Kate Batzinger (Niskayuna, NY / Niskayuna) sent a crossing pass in front of the cage, where Zuk tipped the ball into the near corner.

Zuk added an assist to her total early in the second, collecting the ball in a scramble in front of the cage and getting it to Angela Cascio (Wyndmoor, PA / Springside School) at 39:31. The Engineers controlled the ensuing play, and Zuk scored an unassisted shot at 40:12, as she dodged a defender and shot into the near side. RPI and Zuk finished up the scoring at 42:08 on another unassisted goal. The ball was bouncing around to different players in the circle, and Zuk collected and shot straight into the back of the cage. 

Rensselaer outshot the Spartans, 34-5, and held an 11-1 advantage in penalty corners. Senior goalkeeper Hannah Clough (Acton, MA / Acton-Boxborough Regional) recorded four saves for the Engineers, while Galatioto finished with 13 for Castleton. Karissa McCoy (North Waterboro, ME / Massabesic) also recorded a defensive save for the Spartans.

RPI will finish up the 2014 season on Saturday, visiting Oneonta in non-conference play at 1 p.m.