TROY, N.Y. – Senior captain Sophie Hager led a balanced attack with two goals, helping the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) women's lacrosse team to a 9-5 victory over SUNY Oneonta, on Thursday afternoon at Renwyck Field, in the season opener for both schools. With the win, the Engineers begin the season at 1-0, while the Red Dragons are 0-1.

A low scoring opening half saw RPI sophomore Erin Goodwin (Kensington, CT/Berlin) break the deadlock at 14:38, with freshman Becca DeRosa (Fair Lawn, NJ/Immaculate Heart Academy) picking up the assist.

Less than two minutes later, Hager (Northport, NY/Northport) doubled the Rensselaer lead, driving across the face of goal, before firing just under the crossbar.

Sophomore Kelsey Cohen (Baldwin, NY/Baldwin) cut the deficit in half (2-1) with just over five minutes remaining in the half, taking a feed from classmate Lauren Bascelli (Williston Park, NY/Herricks) and beating RPI sophomore goaltender Aleena Milinski (Beaver Falls, PA/Blackhawk) from close range.

The Engineers then went on a 5-0 run, starting with a late first half tally from senior Allie Claroni (Reading, MA/Reading Memorial).

Sophomores Michelle Bolger (Williston, VT/Rice Memorial) and Maddy Aslansan (Philadelphia, PA/Springside Chestnut Hill Academy) then scored 20 seconds apart early in the second half for a 5-1 lead.

DeRosa picked up her second assist of the game, when she sent junior Morgan Doyle (Syracuse, NY/Corcoran) free for her first of the year at 5:19 of the second. Freshman Casey Clarke (Seattle, WA/Lakeside School) capped the run with her first collegiate tally, giving RPI a 7-1 advantage.

Oneonta fought back with a 3-0 run of its own to draw within 7-4, midway through the half. Cohen scored her second of the game, before juniors Taylor Casey (Garden City South, NY/Kelleberg Memorial) and Lindsey Rose (Camillus, NY/West Genesee) found the scoresheet for the first time in 2017.

Freshman Nicole Zimmer (Chittenango, NY/Chittenango) created some separation with 8:52 to play, tallying for the first time in her RPI career.

Cohen answered less than a minute later, but the Engineers were able to control the clock down the stretch, before Hager potted her second of the game with less than a minute to play.

RPI held a 19-12 edge in shots and a 26-13 advantage in ground balls. It was also 13 for 16 on the clear, while the Red Dragons were 8 for 14.

The Engineers return to action on Monday, when they visit Williams at 4:45pm. Oneonta takes on Rhode Island in Orlando, Fla. On March 9 (10am).