ENGINEERS CUP: Rensselaer opens the 2017 by hosting the Engineers Cup at Renwyck Field on Friday and Saturday. RPI takes on Western Connecticut State (4pm), before Buffalo State takes on Farmingdale State (6:30pm). Action concludes on Saturday morning with the Bengals drawing West Conn for an 11:30am start, with the Engineers and Rams to follow (1:30pm).

FOR RPI: The Engineers return three of their top five point producers from a season ago, including sophomore Emily Kaplan, who netted six goals with four assists for 16 points. Classmate Jacqui Richard helped out from the midfield, contributing three goals - including the Liberty League semifinal winner - and two helpers for eight points. Junior workhorse Maddie Steinmetz (85.9 minutes per game) returns in a more advanced role.

BETWEEN THE STICKS: Sophomore Joey Lyons, the 2016 Liberty League Rookie of the Year, is back for her second season after going 14-5-1 with a 0.60 goals against average and an. 876 save percentage. Senior Tori Riopelle has 41 career games under belt, going 19-12-7 with a 0.98 goals against average and a .788 save percentage through her first three seasons.

LAST YEAR AT THE RAMS CLASSIC: RPI came away with a pair of 1-0 victories over Farmingdale and Western Connecticut State to open the 2016 campaign. Buffalo State also came away with a win over the Colonials (2-1), before drawing the Rams (1-1) in Farmingdale.

LIVE STATS: All four games of the Engineers Cup can be followed live at http://sidearmstats.com/rpi/wsoc/.

LIVE VIDEO: Games involving the Engineers can be seen live at www.rpiathletics.com/watch/wsoc, while non-RPI contests will be available at www.rpiathletics.com/engineerscup.

UP NEXT: RPI hits the road in September 8, when it heads north to face Plattsburgh State (7pm).