TROY, N.Y. – Sophomore goalkeeper
Tori Riopelle made seven saves, including a big sliding stop in double-overtime, to help the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) women's soccer team to a scoreless draw with nationally second-ranked Williams College at East Campus Stadium. With the tie, the Engineers are now 5-5-4 overall, while the Ephs are 9-0-1.
Riopelle was forced to come off her line and make a point-blank save on Williams junior Audrey Thomas (Bellevue, WA/Eastside FC) in the 102nd minute of play, preserving the draw for the home side. The RPI defense was then able to recover and clear the ball out of danger.
The Engineers lone shot in extra time came off the foot of sophomore striker
Dali Alarian (Folsom, CA/Vista del Lago) in the 108th minute. Her attempt from outside the box was handled by Ephs junior keeper Tressa Palcheck (Schaumburg, IL/Schaumburg FC).
Rensselaer held much of the play in the opening 45 minutes, with each team taking six shots. Four of the Ephs' attempts were on goal, while the Engineers were unable to find the target.
In the second half, the Rensselaer continued to attack, generating three corner kicks and a handful of long throw-ins from sophomore center back
Bethany Hanson (Fullerton, CA/Sunny Hills) that created problems for the Williams back line.
The Ephs were forced to clear the ball out of their own six-yard area on several occasions in the second half and first overtime session, as RPI came close, but could not find the final touch.
Riopelle finished with seven saves, while Palcheck was forced to make just one. Overall, shots favored Williams, 22-13, but just 7-1 on goal. Corner kicks were even at four apiece.
TOPS IN SHOTS:
Audrey Thomas led the Ephs with eight shot attemps, while
Coley Mowder had a team-high five for Rensselaer.
THIRD MEETING:
The Engineers improve to 0-2-1 all-time against Williams. The two teams haven't played since 1989.
FIRST RESULT:
RPI was the first team this season to earn a result against the Ephs, who were 9-0 heading into today's contest.
UP NEXT:
RPI continues its four-game home stand next weekend, when it welcomes Liberty League and North Country-rivals St. Lawrence and Clarkson to East Campus Stadium.
The Ephs host MIT tomorrow at 12:30pm.
