POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. ­­– Freshman Jacqui Richard's second half was just enough as the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) women's soccer team held on for a 1-0 victory over Vassar College in the Liberty League Semifinals at Gordon Field. With the win, the Engineers improve to 14-4-1, while the Brewers drop to 9-8-1.

Following a scoreless first half in which Vassar held a 7-2 advantage in shots, The Brewers continued to attack over the first 10 minutes of the second stanza.

Rensselaer countered on several occasions, including a long run from senior Cori Winslow (Ballston Spa, NY/Ballston Spa) in the 56th minute, which alleviated some of the pressure.

The Engineers struck in the 65th minute, when Richard flicked a ball over her head to classmate Emily Kaplan (Smithtown, NY/Haupauge), who dropped a pass back to Richard for a right-footed shot that rocketed past Vassar senior goalkeeper Stephanie Tapolsky (Louisville, KY/Dupont Manuel). The goal was Richard's third of the season.

Following the tally, RPI kept up its play and had chances to double its lead on two occasions. Senior Kensey Waterman (Canton, MA/Canton) nearly caught Topolsky off of her line with a long shot in the 66th minute, before Kaplan tested the Vassar keeper from outside the area.

The Brewers pushed back over the next 10 minutes, but thanks to solid defending from the Engineers, could only muster a pair of attempts that did not find the target.

Vassar all but drew even in the 90th minute, but a shot by Emma Lavelle was blocked and a second effort from Amanda McFarland (Redwood City, CA/Menlo) was headed off the goal line by junior center back Bethany Hanson (Fullerton, CA/Sunny Hills). Rensselaer was able clear the ball away seconds before the final horn sounded.

Senior Ali Zumpetta (Mount Laurel, NJ/Lenape) registered RPI's first shot in the 16 minute, but her left-footed try from the left side of the penalty area was held by Tapolsky.

The hosts tested Rensselaer freshman goalie Joey Lyons (Harwood, MD/Southern) for the first time in the 22nd minute, when Andrews lofted a shot towards the left post, but Lyons gathered the high ball on the hop. Vassar continued to pressure the Engineers, with Seper taking another long range shot that Lyons was able to handle.

Lyons (14-4-1) finished with three saves, while Tapolsky (9-8-0) had four. Vassar finished with a 15-9 advantage in shots, but RPI held a 5-3 edge in shots on goal. 

The Engineers, who win their first Liberty League Tournament game in school history, will travel to Geneva, N.Y. to take on top-seeded and first-ranked William Smith on Saturday, in the conference's Championship Game (TBA).