TROY, N.Y. – Four different Engineers found the back of the net and Sadie Bellissimo turned aside 31 shots as the RPI women's hockey team opened its weekend home-and-home series against Syracuse with a 4-3 victory tonight in Troy. The win improved RPI to 3-14-0 on the season.
RPI struck first late in the opening period when Gracyn Mackay finished a setup from Mia Montanari and Taryn Rathwell for her second goal of the season. Syracuse answered on the power play in the final seconds of the frame, with Emma Gnade tying the contest at 1-1 heading into the first intermission.
The Engineers regained the lead midway through the second period. Michaela Littlewood found the back of the net off assists from Chloe Obser and Molly Hamilton, giving RPI a 2-1 advantage with her second goal of the season. Bellissimo and the Engineers protected the lead through the remainder of the frame, including a Syracuse power play late in the period.
Syracuse pulled even midway through the third on a goal from Stella Costabile, but RPI answered quickly. Georgia Bailey restored the Engineers' lead less than two minutes later, finishing a setup from Kaylynn Fisher and Montanari for her fifth goal of the season. Just 39 seconds later, Keira Johnson scored unassisted to extend the advantage to 4-2, with the tally ultimately standing as the game-winner.
The Orange pushed back late and pulled their goaltender for an extra attacker while on the power play. Bellissimo helped RPI withstand a flurry of Syracuse chances before Nea Tervonen cut the margin to 4-3 with 1:21 remaining. The Engineers held firm over the final minute-plus to preserve the victory and take the opening game of the weekend series.
Bellissimo finished with 31 saves, including 13 in the third period. Montanari recorded two assists, while Mackay and Littlewood each finished with a goal and four shots on goal. Bailey won 17 faceoffs as RPI held a 32-27 advantage at the dot, while the Engineers also blocked 14 Syracuse attempts.
