The field hockey team split a pair of conference games this weekend, losing 2-1 to the ninth-ranked Skidmore Thoroughbreds before coming back to take down the Dutchwomen of Union College, 1-0.
Penalties were the bête noire for the Red Hawks in Friday’s game at Skidmore—the Thoroughbreds had 16 corners over the course of the match, compared to Rensselaer’s three. It was also a penalty stroke that won the game for Skidmore; sophomore Hallory Mogren put the ball past RPI goalkeeper Sandra Harya with a little over eight minutes remaining on the clock, and the Red Hawks were unable to recover.
It was also Mogren that tied the game three minutes prior, stroking a pass from Midfielder Jackie Flanagan into the net to knot the game at one goal apiece.
The Red Hawks’ lone goal came midway through the first half on a shot by senior Beth McCooey, assisted by Tatiana Russell.
Rensselaer also scored only once on Saturday, but that proved to be sufficient to bring home a victory against Union.
Forward Jenn Amyot took a pass from All-American Back Katie Coleman and drilled it past the Union keeper, Jessica Wells, with about 13 minutes left in the first half. Amyot and Coleman have both had their names called often this season—Amyot leads the team in goals scored with five, and Coleman’s six assists ties her for second in the conference.
The Red Hawk defense took over after Amyot’s goal, keeping the Dutchwomen out of the striking circle—Goalie Cathy Hotchkiss needed to make only six saves all game to maintain the shutout.
RPI moves to 7-2 on the season, and 3-2 in the UCAA. The team has six games remaining in the regular season, including conference matches at Rochester and William Smith. Their next contest is today at 4 pm when they host Utica; the Pioneers, in their first year of varsity play, are 3-7.
