TROY, N.Y. – The University of Rochester field hockey team scored three first half goals and senior goalkeeper Abigail Walrond stopped all five shots she faced as the Yellowjackets defeated Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) 4-0 to clinch a spot in the Liberty League Playoffs. Rochester is now 11-5 overall and 4-3 in the conference, while the Engineers are 8-8 and 4-3. RPI did not qualify for the league tournament based on the tiebreakers employed.
 
Junior Karina Bridger gave the Yellowjackets a 1-0 lead at 12:11 of the first quarter when she tallied unassisted for her fifth of the season. After Nikki Mercer sent the ball into the scoring circle with a backhanded pass, Bridger stick-handled, turned and sent a high shot that was initially stopped by goalkeeper Jen Richardson, but the ball popped over and behind the junior and across the line.
 
The visitors doubled their lead 9:06 into the second quarter when senior Juney Lee stepped into a loose ball and scored on a low shot. The play started with a penalty corner and the ball eventually made its way to Leona Fisher, who sent it into a crowd. It bounced to open space to the right of the goal, where Lee tallied for the fifth time this season. Rochester made it a three-goal margin 2:33 later when Julia McDonough chased down a loose ball near the goal line and scored on her forehand from a tight angle, despite a pair of defenders diving in attempts to stop the shot.
 
Rensselaer had a chance to cut into the lead as the first half was winding down but could not convert on consecutive corners at the end of the second quarter.
 
Amanda Strenk's 20th goal of the season, which came directly from a penalty corner insertion from Vivienne Tucker with 11 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, concluded the scoring.
 
Walrond improved to 10-5 for Rochester, which held a 17-6 edge in shots (8-5 on goal) and a 12-10 advantage in penalty corners. RPI got three saves from Richardson and four shots (3 on goal) from Brianna Duba.
 
The Engineers conclude the regular season on Saturday at Oneonta (2pm), while the Yellowjackets host nationally-ranked Hamilton College on Wednesday at 5pm.