TROY, NY — Sophia Brown capped off a historic day with a game-winning goal in the final minutes as the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) field hockey team defeated Skidmore College, 4-3, in a back-and-forth Liberty League contest today at Harkness Field.

Brown tallied her second hat trick of the season, and fourth multi-goal game of the fall, as she scored in the first, second, and fourth quarters to power the Engineers to their eighth win of the season. Her third goal of the game, coming with two minutes to play, marked her 18th of the year, breaking the program's single-season record that had stood since 1980.

Brown opened the scoring 10 minutes in, finishing off RPI's first sustained attack with an unassisted strike. Skidmore responded quickly, equalizing through a penalty stroke goal by Emma Houff at 14:06. The Thoroughbreds then pulled ahead 2-1 in the second quarter, with Mia Angwin converting off a pass from Brooke Golden in the early minutes of the stanze. Just two minutes later, Brown found the net again to tie the game at 2-2. Ella Pasquarelli delivered a well-placed assist, allowing Brown to notch her second of the day before halftime.

The Engineers surged in the fourth quarter, reclaiming the lead on a goal from Katie Galgay in the 46th minute. Although Skidmore responded once more, Houff finishing her second of the game from an Abby Ezickson assist with five minutes remaining, setting up Brown's record-setting game-winner.

With under three minutes remaining in regulation, Brown completed her hat trick and made history. The goal, assisted by Emily Dubord, gave RPI a 4-3 advantage that held through the final whistle.

The Engineers owned a 23-15 shot advantage and held a 13-7 edge in penalty corners in the win. Brown led all players with five shots and three on goal. Galgay and Dubord each recorded a point, while goalkeeper Tess Garchinsky made six saves in the win.

RPI hits the road for their final two games of the season, beginning with a 6:00 pm date at Vassar on Tuesday.