NORTHAMPTON, Mass. – Sophomore Grace Heine scored midway through the opening half and the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) women's soccer team made it stand up as the game-winner in defeating Smith College, 1-0, on Wednesday afternoon. With the win, the Engineers improve to 3-2, while the Pioneers drop to 3-2.

Heine (Lee, NH/Oyster River) received a pass back from senior Jessica Dabney (Austin, TX/James Bowie) in the 34th minute and launched a shot into the top right corner of the net for her first collegiate goal.

Rensselaer, which was firing at will all afternoon, finished with a season-high 32 shot attempts, including 20 on goal. Leading the way was senior Dali Alarian (Folsom, CA/Vista del Lago), who had seven attempts (five on target).

The Engineers registered 15 shots in the first half and 17 in the second, compared to eight total (4 in each half) for the homestanding Pioneers.
Sophomore goalkeeper Joey Lyons (Harwood, MD/Southern) was not forced into action often, making four saves on the day, but two came in crucial moments late in the contest.

Kelly McKenna challenged Lyons twice, in the 87th and 90th minutes, respectively. First, a long distance effort from the left wing, before a tight angled rocked along the goal line – both held by the RPI keeper.

The Engineers return to action on Saturday, when they visit Cortland (3pm). Smith travels to Wellesley on Saturday (2pm).