HOLYOKE, Mass. – The Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) women's soccer team played to a scoreless draw at Mount Holyoke College, in a non-league contest on Wednesday night. With the draw, the Engineers move to 4-7-3 overall, while the Lyons are now 3-9-2.

Cora Melcher nearly gave the hosts a 1-0 lead early in the second half, when she launched a high ball from midfield that bounced over RPI freshman goalkeeper Alex Benfatti, but she was able to recover and swat it off the goal line.

Rensselaer junior Izzy Scarpone found herself with some space at the right side of the box in the 64th minute, but her right-footed try sailed over the top of the net.

Junior midfield Jacqui Richard connected well with an 84th-minute shot from the middle of the penalty area, but it just missed the crossbar by a foot. A minute later, sophomore Olenka Soko pulled a right-footed attempt wide of the left post from 25 yards out.

The Engineers turned in the best chance in overtime in the 92nd minute, when freshman Whitney Wisnom found herself alone at the edge of the six-yard box, but her left-footed try was fired wide of the left post. A minute later, junior Emily Kaplan was played into the penalty area, only to see her attempt roll inches wide.

In the 98th minute, after a scramble in the Holyoke box, the ball fell to RPI senior Emily Dunn, who promptly cracked a shot off the crossbar. A second Engineers effort was then lifted over the crossbar.

Benfatti was forced into action in the 106th minute, when Melcher stole the ball in the attacking third and ripped a tight angle shot towards the near post. Benfatti was there to make the save and hold on.

Rensselaer finished with a 29-6 advantage in shots and 5-0 edge in corner kicks. Benfatti made three saves to earn the shutout in her first collegiate start, while Amanda Manaster had 10 stops at the other end of the field.

The Engineers are back in action on Saturday, when they visit Ithaca College for a Liberty League contest (2pm). Holyoke hosts Wheaton on Saturday (12pm).