TROY, N.Y. – The Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) women's ice hockey began a two-game home-and-home against Sacred Heart this evening, with the Pioneers coming away with a 3-1 result inside Houston Field House. 

Freshman forward Juliette Thibault gave the Engineers an early spark, scoring her first collegiate goal at 16:11 of the opening period. Thibault's tally came unassisted, as she snapped a wrister past Sacred Heart goaltender Jillian Petruno following a failed clearance by the Pioneers.

RPI was agressive in the opening 20 minutes, as the Engineers owned 16 of the 19 total shots on goal in the first frame. Sacred Heart pulled even midway through the second period on a goal by Addie Bowlby before taking the lead early in the third on a strike from Bria Holm.

RPI pressed for the equalizer, generating 17 shots in the middle frame and 13 more in the third, but Petruno stood tall in net, stopping 45 shots overall. The visitors added an empty-net goal in the closing seconds from Shae Carroll to set the final margin.

Thibault led all players with six shots on goal overall, while Mia Montanari was close behind with five. Defensively, Thibault also contributed a game-high four blocked shots, helping the Engineers frustrate Sacred Heart's attack.

The Engineers held a decisive 34–22 advantage at the circle. Georgia Bailey won a game-best 14 draws, while Sabrina Beaudoin added 12 wins of her own. Alexis Brunet chipped in with a strong performance at the dot as well, going 3-for-5. On the back end, Kendal Davidson and Juliana Goffredo each recorded multiple blocked shots, part of a 10-block night for the Engineers.

The two teams will finish the series tomorrow at 5:00 pm in Martire Family Arena in Fairfield, Conn.