FARMINGDALE, N.Y. - Freshman Emily Kaplan capitalized on a Farmingdale State mistake in the penalty area to lift the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) women's soccer team to a 1-0 victory in its season opener. The Engineers open 2016 at 1-0, while the Rams drop to 0-2.

Playing in her first collegiate match, just 20 miles from her hometown, Kaplan (Smithtown, NY/Hauppauge) netted the game's only goal in the 26th minute. Stepping in front of a Farmingdale clearing attempt, she deflected the ball towards the Rams goal and tapped in home from inside the six.

The Engineers nearly doubled their advantage right before halftime, when freshman Jacqui Richard (Southwick, MA/Westminster School) claimed a rebound at the top of the box and curled a right-footed shot towards the top right corner. Farmingdale sophomore goalkeeper Daniela Ford (Dix Hills, NY/Swanhaka) was able to get her fingertips on the attempt and flick it over the bar.

RPI took its 1-0 lead in the break, holding a 6-1 edge in shots.

In the second half, Farmingdale came out with a response the Rensselaer attack, getting forward a handful of occasions. Sophomore Alyssa Parrotta (Centereach, NY/Centereach) snuck into the RPI penalty area, but Engineers freshman goalie Joey Lyons (Harwood, MD/Southen) was quick to come off of her line and smother the chance in the 67th minute.

Senior Kensey Waterman (Canton, MA/Canton) made a bid for her first Rensselaer goal in the 73rd minute, but Ford punched the effort away.

Farmingdale had two free kicks from the right flank in the latter stages of the game, but neither were able threaten the RPI goal.

Lyons finished with three saves for her first career shutout, while Ford had six.

The Engineers are back in action tomorrow, when they face Western Connecticut State (12pm). Farmingdale duels Buffalo State tomorrow (10am).