TROY, N.Y. – Sophomore Dali Alarian scored the overtime-winning goal in the 101st minute to lift the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) women's soccer team to a 2-1 victory over Castleton University, in non-league play at East Campus Stadium. With the win, the Engineers improve to 4-3-2, while the Spartans drop to 3-5.

Controlling the ball from the kick-off that opened the second overtime, the Engineers worked their way up the right wing, before junior Cori Winlsow (Ballston Spa, NY/Ballston Spa) found Alarian (Folsom, CA/Vista del Lago) in the middle of the field. Alarian one-timed a right-footed shot into the top right corner of the net, from 25 yards out.

The visitors jumped to a very early lead, scoring just 59 seconds into the contest. After a free kick was taken close to midfield, the ball deflected to junior Nicole Wershoven (Southington, CT/Southington), who sent a second ball in towards the penalty spot. Senior Mallory Costello (Vernon, NJ/Vernon Township) got on the end of the cross and buried a shot just under the crossbar for her team-leading eighth goal of the year.

Rensselaer drew even in the 12th minute on senior captain Coley Mowder's (Eldersburg, MD/Liberty) first tally of the campaign. A corner from the right by freshman Maddie Steinmetz (Malvern, PA/West Chester East) found the head of Alarian, but her shot was kept out. Mowder was there to stick home the rebound from close range.

The Engineers continued to move the ball well throughout portions of the first half and took a 9-1 edge in shots after 45 minutes.
In the second half, it was more of the same as the hosts built a 17-3 shots advantage. RPI also earned 17 corner kicks in regulation and an 18th in overtime. The most in a single game by Engineers team in over a decade.

Sophomore goalkeeper Tori Riopelle (Ashburn, VA/Briar Woods) did not make a save, while Castleton junior Jessica Binkowski (Goshen, CT/Wamogo) finished with three stops at the other end of the field.

HOW THEY HAPPENED
Goal No. 1: A Castleton free kick from the left was cleared only as far as the right flank, where Nicole Wershoven sent a second ball in and Mallory Costello beat the RPI defense to the ball, firing it just under the crossbar. (1st)
Goal No. 2: Off a corner, Dali Alarian's first attempt could not be corralled by the Castleton keeper and Coley Mowder tapped it home from inside the six. (12th)
Goal No. 3: Dali Alarian hit a right-footed blast from outside the penalty area that found the top right corner of the net.

MORE OVERTIME:
The Engineers have now played more than 90 minutes in five of their nine games this season. They are 2-1-2 in those games.

IN HOME OPENERS:
The Engineers are now 2-4 in their last six home openers. RPI's other win came two years ago against the University of Rochester, by an identical 2-1 score line.

TRADING PLACES:
Cori Winslow assisted on Dali Alarian's overtime winning goal just five days after scoring OT-winner at SUNY New Paltz. In that game, Alarian assisted on Winlsow's goal in a 1-0 victory.

FIRST OF THE YEAR:
The goal for Coley Mowder was her first of the season. She had three goals last year and two as a sophomore.

UP NEXT:
Rensselaer opens Liberty League play on Saturday, when it hosts Bard (2pm).
The Spartans host Johnson State on Saturday (7pm).