The Red Hawks added a pair of convincing wins last week to an already impressive season, improving their record to 6-1.
On Wednesday, Rensselaer hosted conference rival Vassar and shut out the Brewers 2-0.
The RPI defense was outstanding in this match, denying the Vassar squad even a single shot on goal.
Junior Dina Cinelli opened the scoring 10 minutes into the contest. A Vassar infraction inside their striking circle led to a penalty corner for RPI. Tatiana Russell took the first shot on the play, and Cinelli put the rebound back past Vassar Goalkeeper Jessica Baab to put the Red Hawks on the board.
The next 45 minutes were fairly quiet, with the respective defenses preventing either side from manufacturing scoring opportunities. Then, with five minutes left, Forward Jess Butler fired in a quick pass from Back Katie Coleman, sealing the Rensselaer victory.
Saturday saw the Drew Rangers of Madison, N.J., come to Ned Harkness Field. The Rangers got off to a good start, scoring 10 minutes into the match and holding off the Red Hawks for the entire first half. RPI was able to muster several shots on goal during the period, but none of them connected, and the team found itself in the unusual position of being down at the half.
The Red Hawks turned things around in the second half, largely due to the play of Coleman. She kicked off an RPI run with 24 minutes left in the match, blasting a shot from the edge of the striking circle past Jess Kates, who was in goal for the Rangers.
Coleman struck again on a penalty corner less than two minutes later, giving the Red Hawks the lead for good.
The barrage continued as Rensselaer mobbed the Rangers’ goal, and Cinelli was able to put back a Coleman rebound for an insurance goal.
RPI’s last goal came off of a penalty stroke by Russell—Kates jumped before the whistle, giving the Red Hawks an automatic goal and a 4-1 win.
For her efforts, Coleman was named UCAA Player of the Week. She earned All-American status last season as a sophomore and has been a leader on both sides of the field—she is first on the team in goals, assists, shots, and defensive saves.
The Red Hawks, now 2-1 in the conference, are currently tied for third in the league; they trail St. Lawrence, who dealt the team its only loss and is now 7-0, and William Smith, last year’s NCAA champions.
The team will be on the road for most of the remainder of their season: Only one of their final six scheduled matches will be at RPI. This weekend, Rensselaer takes on Capital Region foes Skidmore and Union. Friday’s game will be particularly poignant for the Red Hawks—the Thoroughbreds are coached by Beth Hallenbeck, who led RPI to their record-setting 11-win season last year as head coach.
