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TROY, N.Y. - Junior Mikaela DiBello had a goal and an assist and three others found the back of the cage as the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) field hockey team defeated Union College, 4-0, in a Liberty League contest at Harkness Field. Three of Rensselaer's goals came in the second half on its way to improving to 3-11 overall and 2-4 in the league. The Dutchwomen fall to 6-8 and 1-5.

DiBello (Mahopac, NY / Mahopac) had a hand in the first two goals, scoring the first and assisting the next. Her marker, which came in the 16th minute, was unassisted as she controlled the ball in the circle for several seconds before firing a shot that beat a screened Union goalkeeper. RPI's second goal, which came 10:37 into the second half, was scored by senior Megan Jones (Stevensville, MD / Kent Island), who found herself open in front of the net, collected a pass from DiBello, who carried the ball down the right side, and scored just inside the right side of the cage.

The Engineers, who have now won seven straight against the Dutchwomen to even the all-time series, 23-23, needed just under two minutes later to make it a 3-0 contest. Sophomore Christina Hanos (New City, NY / New City) took a cross from Charisse Stakutis (Concord, MA / Concord-Carlisle) and chipped the ball into the goal. Senior Jane Edgington (Amherst, NY / Amherst Central) later chipped in a shot of her own, this one coming off a pass from Isabel Vineyard (Norwalk, CT / Brien McMahon) in the 57th minute.

RPI held a 16-6 advantage in shots and a 7-3 edge in penalty corners, including 5-2 in the first half. Juniors Rachel Kaufman (Morristown, NJ / Morristown) and Kayla Bell (Winchester, MA / Winchester) shared the shutout. Kaufman made four saves in 60:39, while Bell was not tested.

Freshman Mary Beth Rudolf (Danbury, CT / Academy of our Lord of Mercy) had six saves on 10 shots faced in 56:11 before Heather Poisson (Fairport, NY / Fairport) came on in relief. Sophomore Jenna Smith (Seekonk, MA / Seekonk) had a first half defensive save for the Dutchwomen, who return to the field on Sunday against Vassar College.

RPI is at Ithaca College on Sunday at 1pm.