TROY, N.Y.  – Sophomore Lily Delianedis scored the eventual game-winning goal late in the third period to send the Cornell University women's hockey team past Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), 3-2, on Saturday afternoon at the Houston Field House. With the win, the Big Red improve to 3-4-1 overall (2-3-1 ECAC Hockey), while the Engineers drop to 4-10-0 (2-6-0 ECAC Hockey).

RPI opened the scoring just 42 seconds into the game, when graduate student Lauren Severson (Rockford, IL / Madison Capitals) backhanded a shot from the right side of the crease into the back of the net. Junior Marah Wagner (Langley, BC / Robert Morris) and sophomore Taylor Larson (Bolton, ON / Mississauga Jr. Chiefs) picked the assists on Severson's first goal of the year.

The Big Red pulled even at 15:00 of the opening frame on redirection in front of RPI junior goaltender Amanda Rampado (Stoney Creek, ON / Stoney Creek Sabres). Freshman Leah MacSween (Oakville, ON / Iroquois Ridge High School) and sophomore Gabbie Rud (St. Cloud, MN / St. Cloud Technical School) earned the helpers on the play.

Sophomore Ashley Messier (Wilcox, SK / Selects Hockey School) gave the visitors their first lead 28 seconds into the second with her first collegiate tally. Her point shot found its way through a screen to beat Ramado for the 2-1 advantage.

The Engineers outshot Cornell, 10-8, in the middle frame, but graduate student netminder Lindsey Browning (Penfield, NY / Buffalo Bison) kept the visitors in front after 40 minutes.

A power play goal from Julia Blitz (Potomac, MD / Washington Pride) tied the game at 2-2, early in the third period. Working the puck around the offensive zone, Wagner found Blitz at the top of the right circle and she rifled home her second goal of the weekend and fourth of the season, just under the crossbar.

Delianedis (Edina, MN / Minnesota Jr. Whitecaps) gave Cornell the lead back with just four minutes to play in regulation on a tip at the edge of the RPI crease. Senior Gillis Frechette (Weston, MA / East Coast Wizards) threw he puck towards the net from the left circle and Delianedis steered it over the left shoulder of Rampado for her fourth goal of the season.

RPI lifted Rampado for an extra skater with just over two minutes to play, but could find another tying tally.

The Engineers are back in action on Tuesday night, when they host Post University for a non-league game (6pm). Cornell hosts Quinnipiac and Princeton next weekend.