For the RPI women’s soccer team, this week went very well. With two wins in two games, the program picked up some nice momentum in the early moments of the season and bounced back from a winless first week.
RPI jumped out to an early lead against Russell Sage, which was refreshing, considering Rensselaer has had trouble early with the opposition in weeks past. Playing from behind has been a rough trend that the women did not have to deal with this week.
Sophomore Kerry Reilly was able to score after she beat the Gators’ goaltender with some nifty maneuvering directly in the scoring territory.
Russell Sage, however, was able to strike back when junior Amy Azzaro found a hole in the Red Hawk defense, and put the ball past the outstretched arms of senior goalie Tara Marandino. Late in the half, RPI had an opportunity to go ahead, but a great save by the Russell Sage goalie in the closing minutes of play kept the score notched at one as both teams headed into the half.
The second half of play was a grudge match, as both teams waited anxiously for an opportunity to take the lead. This day, though, belonged to the Red Hawks. In heroic fashion, sophomore Sarah Hinz out-maneuvered the goaltender to create enough space for a wide open shot, and she netted the ball just under the right side of the crossbar to win the game for RPI.
The second game of the week for Rensselaer was a contest versus the winless Saxons of Alfred College. For the first five minutes of the game, the Red Hawks did not push the issue. They played well enough to take a 1-0 advantage less than three minutes into the game, when Hinz received a pass and put it in past the goaltender, but Head Coach Eric Miller explained that he felt the team could have done more attacking.
Attacking must have been the topic of conversation in the locker room because as the second half opened up, the Red Hawks went to work. With the team’s intensity turned up a notch, the goal scoring began as RPI suddenly became dominant over the Saxons. Sophomore Judy Kastner scored the first of three RPI goals when she drilled a shot at the 50:30 mark.
Shortly after, Hinz scored her second goal of the game, again beating the goalie and creating enough space for an open shot. Freshman Jessica Batty finished the run off nicely when she headed a cross from Briggs into the back of the net, giving Rensselaer a 4-0 lead. This would end up being the final score. Marandino made one save on the day and earned the victory.
“We didn’t give them a chance to hurt us, and our defense was stellar,” said Coach Miller. With the pair of wins, the atmosphere of the team has taken a turn for the better. Upperclassmen are feeling positive for the first time in a long while, and hopefully the future will only be brighter.
“We played fairly well in getting our first wins of the season, but we can do better, and that’s what I’m waiting for,” said Miller. Hinz, who now has three goals on the season, was named Liberty League Performer of the Week for her success in the Red Hawks’ wins.
RPI returns to action this Saturday when they take on Springfield College. The women, whose record now stands at 2-2-1, had their troubles with Springfield last year—a 7-1 loss. Rensselaer will undoubtedly have their sights set on seeking revenge, but they will also look to build off the success of the past week, and keep the momentum rolling for the remainder of the season.
