TROY, N.Y.- The Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) field hockey team suffered a 4-3 setback in overtime against Vermont State University Castleton this evening on Harkness Field.

The Engineers fought back from a two-goal deficit late in the second half, however the visiting Spartans found the back in the early stages of OT to take the non-conference win.

Jess Smithson scored the game-winning goal for Castleton on a corner attempt with three minutes gone in the overtime session. Amelia Wilson provided the assist on the Smithson goal.

Abby Peterson tallied two scores and Grace Johnson netted a goal to account for the RPI scoring.

After the two teams closed a scoreless first frame, Peterson put the Engineers ahead early when she tucked home a feed from Lauren McCarthy with 75 seconds gone in the second quarter.

VTSU would equalize things at 1-1 in the second quarter before pulling ahead with two goals in the third.

Trailing 3-1 with under 15 minutes left, RPI scored twice in four-minute span to bring the action level again at 3-3. Peterson registered her second strike of the game, followed by Johnson's first goal of the season with 10 minutes remaining to force the extra session.

Zoe Martin turned away 11 shots in net to limit the RPI attack. 

The Engineers will look to rebound with a Saturday matchup at SUNY Brockport. The action is set to start at 12:00 pm.