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TROY, N.Y. - The Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) field hockey team scored two first half goals including one with time expired and the Engineers held off SUNY Geneseo 2-1 in a non-conference game at Harkness Field. RPI improves to 3-0 for the first time since 2005, while the Knights drop to 1-1.

Sophomore Megan Jones (Stevensville, MD / Kent Island) put the Engineers in front in the 29th minute when she tallied her fourth of the season. Senior captain Angela Cascio (Wyndmoor, PA / Springside School) doubled the lead when she scored on a penalty corner with no time remaining in the frame. Cascio collected a pass from Jena Dolinar (Owings, MD / Northern) and put it over everyone and into the cage.

Geneseo pulled within 2-1 on a rush finished by Cara Stafford (Katonah, NY / John Jay) 15 minutes into the second half, but could not get the equalizer. 

Freshman Rachel Kaufman (Morristown, NJ / Morristown) stopped two shots to improve to 2-0 on the season, while senior Dayna Mercer (Katonah, NY / John Jay) saved 22 shots on the other end. RPI held a 19-3 edge in penalty corners.

HOW THEY HAPPENED:

1. Off a scramble in front, Megan Jones picked up a loose ball and scored from close range
2. With the half ended, Angela Cascio collected a penalty corner injection from Jena Dolinar and placed a high shot into the upper right corner of the cage
3. Geneseo had 3 on 1 break down the middle of the field with Gabriella Clare carrying down the right side. She fed the middle, where Cara Stafford collected the pass and scored.

STROKE SAVE:
Engineers netminder Rachel Kaufman dove to her left for a diving stop on a high penalty stroke attempt by Giovanna Fasanello eight minutes into the second half and RPI leading 2-0

GETTING DEFENSIVE:
Rensselaer freshman Taylor Clink kept the game scoreless early in the first half with a defensive save
Maria Premo, a junior for Geneseo, had a defensive save soon after RPI's defensive save

HOT START:
The last time Rensselaer started 3-0 was 2005 when it defeated Nazareth (2-1), Hartwick (3-1) and Geneso (2-1). RPI finished 6-10 that year.

UP NEXT:
Rensselaer travels to Hamilton College for a non-league game on Wednesday at 7pm
Geneseo travels to William Smith College for a non-league game on Wednesday at 7pm