TROY, N.Y. - Rachel Banister scored twice and the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) field hockey team scored three second quarter goals on its way to a 7-0 victory over Nazareth College in a non-league game at Harkness Field. The Engineers improve to 4-6, while the Golden Flyers drop to 3-7.
 
After a scoreless first quarter, Banister put the Engineers in front at 8:14 of the second quarter. Briana Duba started the play when she stole the ball in the offensive zone and pushed the ball to Jessie House, who gained the circle and flipped a pass to Banister. The freshman shook off a defender and scored on a low shot.
 
Sophomore Delana Bonci set up the second goal when she picked up a pass in the defensive zone near midfield and carried the ball down the right side, drawing two defenders. Her centering pass found an open Lauren Roy, who backhanded the ball past Amanda Chuttey, the goalie, for her second goal in as many games.
 
A penalty corner was the beginning of Banister's second goal. Duba collected the insertion and sent a pass to House at the top of the circle. Her drive was deflected by Banister, who was stationed in front of the goal and tipped the ball into the top of the cage. Rensselaer led 3-0 at halftime.
 
Nina Caprio put the Engineers ahead 4-0 when she swept in a long crossing pass from Abi Herrington with only six seconds left in the third quarter. A Lauren McCarthy goal on a tip-in of an Abby Peterson shot made it a five-goal game. Caprio's second of the game made it 6-0 before Dani Samuelson tallied.
 
RPI goalie Jen Richardson faced just one shot, while Chuttey was outstanding on the other end, finishing with 31 saves. The Engineers had a 17-0 edge in penalty corners.
 
Rensselaer is right back in action on Saturday morning when it hosts Skidmore College in a Liberty League game at 10am. Nazareth travels to Utica to play Empire 8 foe Utica College for a game on Sunday at 1pm.