The RPI women’s field hockey team tied the school record for wins with a 13-7 season last year, and they look to improve on that this year. The team this year is younger, with six freshmen on the team. Even so, Head Coach Bridget LaNoir is confident in the team and their abilities. In the few weeks that the squad has practiced, they have looked good and immediately clicked.
RPI’s two new goalies, Jen O’Neil and Liz Szewczak, join returning goaltender Amanda Lund. Coach LaNoir believes that O’Neil, Szewczak, and the rest of the freshmen class will be key components in Rensselaer’s success. The new co-captains, senior Jessica Butler and junior Sondra Sherman, will provide a positive influence on the team as well.
While some of RPI’s competition may try to prey on the team’s lack of experience, Coach LaNoir is sure the Red Hawk’s chemistry and finesse will spur the team on to win every game they can.
The Red Hawk’s main competition is the Skidmore Thoroughbreds, who RPI finished second to in the ECAC Mid-Atlantic Tournament last season. The William Smith Herons and St. Lawrence Saints have been improving their programs, and they will also be tough opponents. Rensselaer will be facing off against Skidmore on the road on September 26, William Smith on the road on October 11, and St. Lawrence at home on October 25.
The first test for the Rensselaer Red Hawks was a night opener against the Oneonta State Red Dragons last Friday. RPI started slowly, with Oneonta controlling the ball for the first five minutes of the game. The defense held on strong however, and kept Oneonta’s chances to a minimum. As the Red Hawks’ offense picked up their game, play slowly migrated towards the Red Dragons’ goalie, Kelly Mohr. Both teams continued to play great defensively through most of the first half. Sophomore goalie Lund made a spectacular save to jump start an offensive rush up the field at the tail end of the first half. With less than a minute left in the half the Red Hawks scooted a shot just wide and the half ended with the teams even at zero.
The second half started with both teams on the offensive. After some back and forth play, Rensselaer tallied the first goal of the game when Butler deflected a shot by sophomore Laurie Young six minutes into the second half. Eight minutes later, Oneonta took a time-out to regroup, and came back out onto the field with some renewed vigor. The Red Hawk defense was able to keep the Red Dragons at bay until the end of the game. With six minutes left, Oneonta’s Rachel Decker scored to tie the game at one. RPI responded with a flurry of offense and a couple of close chances. With just over two minutes remaining, a shot bounced against the goal post and sat still for a second before the Red Dragon defense cleared it away.
At the end of the game the score was still tied. After a quick intermission, the players took the field for a 15 minute sudden death overtime. The Red Hawks, still feeling the momentum of the last 20 minutes, needed only one minute, and one shot, to finish the game. Butler scored her second goal of the game on a break-away and pushed a shot past the Oneonta goalie to win the game. RPI goaltender Lund made five saves, while Oneonta goaltenders Mohr and Lindsey Hendricks split time and combined for three saves.
The Red Hawks’ next game is home against Oswego State Thursday at 4 pm. The game will take place at the Ned Harkness Field next to the Field House; admission is free.
