TROY, NY — The RPI field hockey team overcame an early deficit with goals from
Ria Patel and
Sophia Brown to earn a 2-1 victory over William Smith this evening at Harkness Field. The Engineers improved to 7-2 on the season with the win.
William Smith struck first in the opening quarter when Ana Dios Vidal finished a setup from Caroline Kogut to give the visitors a 1-0 advantage. RPI responded by generating three shots and a pair of penalty corners during the period, including an attempt on goal from
Emily Dubord, but the Herons carried the one-goal lead into the second quarter.
The Engineers continued to apply pressure in the second, with Dubord and
Kylie Secker each creating chances off penalty corners. RPI eventually found the equalizer late in the half when Patel scored to make it 1-1 heading into the break.
William Smith opened the third quarter with a pair of shots on goal, but
Olivia Brovak turned aside both attempts to keep the game even. RPI quickly shifted the momentum back in its favor, earning consecutive penalty corners and generating three shots during the ensuing sequence. Brown capped the pressure by finding the back of the cage to give the Engineers their first lead of the evening at 2-1.
RPI continued to create opportunities in the fourth quarter as Patel and
Ella Pasquarelli each forced saves from William Smith goalkeeper Olivia Terranova. The Herons produced one final shot on goal later in the period, but Brovak made the save and the Engineers' defense closed out the one-goal victory.
Patel led the RPI attack with a goal and five shots, including three on target. Dubord also recorded five attempts, while Brown scored on her lone shot of the evening. Pasquarelli and
Emily Frey each added a shot on goal for the Engineers.
