TROY, N.Y. - Junior Gwen Barnes scored two first half goals to lead the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) women's soccer team to a 2-1 victory over Utica University, an outcome that extended the Engineers unbeaten streak to four games (3-0-1). RPI improves to 3-3-2 overall, while the Pioneers drop to 2-5-1.

The Engineers jumped out to a quick lead with a goal in the 12th minute. Erin Barnes started the possession with a throw-in from the right sideline that was headed down by a Utica defender. Rensselaer's Bryanna Swinson controlled the ball at the 18 yard line and sent a right-footed pass behind the defense that Gwen Barnes ran into and touched with her left foot into the right corner of the goal.

The Pioneers tied the game in the 31st minute when senior Jenna Keeman launched a free kick from 40 yards out that skipped once to the goalkeeper, Megan Wampner, who had it bound off her knees and carom into the goal.

RPI answered almost immediately when Barnes finished a feed from Peyton Carney less than a minute later. Haley Cole forced a turnover in the midfield to gain possession for Rensselaer and Carney fed the ball to a streaking Barnes on her left. The forward took one dribble before securing her second goal of the night with another left-footed touch into the bottom right corner.

Barnes nearly finished a hat trick in the second half but her header off a cross from Rachel Borra sailed over the net.That attempt was one of 13 for the Engineers, who put five shots on goal. Utica had seven with three on the net.

Wampner stopped one shot in the first half and Sierra Skelding had one save of her own in the second. Courtney Connolly had three saves for the visitors.

Rensselaer's next game is Saturday afternoon at Liberty League foe Skidmore College (3pm), while Utica visits Alfred University on Saturday at 6pm in an Empire 8 contest.