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UTICA, N.Y. – The visiting Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) field hockey team caged two goals in the final 2:17 of action to rally for a 2-1 victory over Utica College on a rainy evening at Charles A. Gaetano Stadium on Tuesday.

Both of the RPI goals came in a span of just 1:30 late in the contest. Mikaela DiBello knotted the score at 1-1 for the visitors, her sixth tally of the season, when she equalized after a nice pass to the near side post from Charisse Stakutis in the circle. 

With just :47 left in regulation, Stakutis caged the game-winner after collecting a rebound and beating Utica freshman goalie Megan Chamberlain to hand the Engineers the victory.  Stakutis was in the right place at the right time after Lauren Roy sent in a long ball that was pushed away by Chamberlain, but right to the stick of Stakutis. The Engineers have now won two in a row (2-7).

After a scoreless first half, Utica appeared to be in control of the match when senior Rylee Meelan scored her 10th goal of the season to give the Pioneers a 1-0 advantage just over two minutes into the second half. Sydney Scaccia was credited with an assist as she pushed a pass over to Meelan following a beautiful centering ball from Josie Sgarlata.

After Utica took a one goal second half lead the Engineers began to mount serious pressure. The visitors earned an 11-7 shot advantage in the final 35 minutes and they also recorded seven second half penalty corners compared to the Pioneers' three.

Rachel Kaufman stopped four shots in her second win of the season. Chamberlain made eight saves in the cage for the Pioneers, who are now 4-6.