ROCHESTER, NY — The RPI field hockey team built a three-goal advantage and withstood a sustained second-half push from Rochester to earn a 3-2 Liberty League road victory this afternoon at Fauver Stadium. The win marked the seventh straight victory for the Engineers, who improved to 8-2 overall and 2-0 in Liberty League play.
RPI established control early, generating seven penalty corners in the opening quarter and scoring twice.
Kennedy Campbell opened the scoring by redirecting a shot from
Kylie Secker following a penalty corner.
Katie Galgay doubled the advantage later in the period, finishing a deflected shot from
Sophia Brown to give the Engineers a 2-0 lead after 15 minutes.
The Engineers extended the lead early in the second quarter.
Jianna Seale forced a save from Rochester goalkeeper Riley Leeser, and
Ella Pasquarelli converted the ensuing rebound to make it 3-0. Rochester responded later in the period when Hannah Mehta scored off a penalty-corner setup from Erin Foley, trimming RPI's advantage to 3-1 at halftime.
Rochester applied heavy pressure throughout the third quarter, producing 13 shots and 10 penalty corners, but the RPI defense kept the Yellowjackets off the scoreboard.
Olivia Brovak made five saves in the period, while
Ryan Spagnolo added a defensive save during a late flurry of Rochester opportunities.
The Yellowjackets pulled within one early in the fourth quarter when Kristina Fedorova finished a feed from Foley to make it 3-2. Rochester continued to generate penalty corners following the goal, but the Engineers held firm over the final 12-plus minutes to preserve the one-goal victory.
Campbell, Galgay and Pasquarelli accounted for the three RPI goals, while Secker and Brown each registered an assist. Pasquarelli placed all three of her shots on goal, Campbell finished with two shots on target, and Seale also added an attempt on goal.
Brovak logged all 60 minutes in goal and finished with seven saves, including five in the third quarter, while Spagnolo's defensive save helped RPI withstand Rochester's second-half pressure.
