TROY, N.Y. – Freshman Andrea Trnková began her collegiate career in a big way, collecting a game-tying goal with just over two minutes remaining in regulation to help the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) women's hockey team secure a 1-1 tie in their season opener against RIT on Saturday afternoon.
 
RPI had the edge through the first two periods of scoreless play, leading the way 36-20 in shots, and holding a 17-11 edge in shots on goal. Ellie Kaiser rang the crossbar late in the first period, while Marah Wagner had a possible goal but was turned away after inconclusive evidence on the video replay.
 
RIT broke the ice in the third period, scoring a go-ahead goal at the 6:35 mark. Jordyn Bear collected the puck in front of the net, and moved to her back hand putting it into the back of the net to put RIT ahead. Jaydn Fahrny and Jessie Burks were awarded assists on the play.
 
As time wound down, RPI continued to push ahead until they were forced to empty the net in the final minutes. With Rampado on the bench and with an extra skater, Trnková scored her first collegiate goal with 2:17 remaining in regulation. The goal even things up at 1-1, with the helper going to senior Taylor Larsen. Trnková took a wrist shot from the left circle that found it's way under the left arm of RIT goaltender Sarah Coe.
 
In overtime, both sides had chances, but were all turned away as Rampado and Coe were strong throughout all four stages of the game. Rampado finished with 22 saves, while Coe put up 35 saves on the afternoon.
 
Maddy Papineau led RPI with eight shots on goal, while Trnková added seven on cage. For RIT, Emma Pickering had a team high nine shots, with seven on target. Wagner was strong in the faceoff circle for the Engineers, going 24-for-30.
 
RPI returns to action tomorrow, September 24 at 3 p.m. when they host RIT in the final installment of the opening weekend.