Box Score | RPI Athletics on YouTube

New Paltz, N.Y. - In their final regular season road contest of 2017, the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) field hockey team dropped a non-league contest at the State University of New York at New Paltz, 5-1. The Hawks improve to 6-10, while the Engineers drop to 4-12.

New Paltz got on the board just over a minute into the contest when junior Samantha Ackerman scored off a rebound that was initially shot by senior Justine O'Reilly. O'Reilly assisted another goal by Ackerman in the 11th minute off a corner that was initially taken by Ackerman.

After senior Hayley Kim's shot was saved by RPI's Kayla Bell, sophomore Kaitlyn Gunter slapped the deflection into the cage at the 21:36 mark to make it a 3-0 game. O'Reilly made it 4-0 just before halftime as she charged down from midfield for an unassisted goal.

RPI broke up the shutout in the 39th minute when senior Megan Jones scored off a helper from junior Mikaela DiBello.

O'Reilly responded with her second goal of the game at the 57:20 mark off a pass from freshman Renee Salerno.

Despite being outscored 5-1, the Engineers outshot the Hawks 22-19, but SUNY New Paltz held a 16-13 advantage in penalty corners.

Senior Megan Gangewere made 15 stops in the cage for the win, while Bell and Rachel Kaufman combined to stop nine shots.

Rensselaer's season finale is Saturday at noon against Oneonta in Troy. The Hawks conclude their regular season when they travel to cross-river rival Vassar College on Saturday at 1pm.