The Rensselaer Red Hawks, fresh off their season opening win over Oneonta State, took on the Oswego State Lakers Thursday. The game began under threatening skies and it rained for most of the second half, but thunder held off until after the game was over. Oswego State’s team of 25 women is relatively young, with 12 freshmen on the roster. RPI was able to overpower Oswego to a 3-1 win.
The first half started quickly with a couple of chances for RPI that were blocked by Oswego’s defense. Ten minutes into the game, play edged its way towards Red Hawk goalie Liz Szewczak. The Lakers then scored off of a penalty corner when Robyn Bramoff fired a shot in from just inside the striking circle.
RPI forward Jessica Butler responded two minutes later with a goal to tie the game at one. Rensselaer continued to pressure the Oswego defense, hammering 15 shots toward goaltender Ashley Perkins in the first half alone. Penalty corners provided many of these chances, but Oswego’s defense kept RPI from taking the lead. Finally with eight minutes left in the half, a shot found its way into the goal, but it was deemed that the shot was taken from outside the striking circle. RPI got another chance with a penalty stroke, but the goaltender was successful in stopping the shot.
Freshman Jen O’Neil took over goaltending duties from Szewczak to start the second half. Play continued where it left off, with RPI pounding the ball toward the Oswego goal.
The game halted six minutes into the half when the ball hit Oswego player Amy Parish in the face. Parish was helped off the field to a round of applause from the crowd.
Play resumed and, like the rain, RPI did not let up. Ten minutes later, Butler tallied her second goal of the game and fourth goal of the season to put the Red Hawks up by one. Oswego took a timeout, but it did not slow down the push of the RPI offense. Junior Sondra Sherman notched her first goal of the season with eight minutes left in the game with a great shot. Sherman finished the game with a goal and an assist. Sophomore Laurie Young had a break-away chance two minutes later, but Perkins was able to stop it.
Oswego was not able to counter RPI’s offense, and the Red Hawks were able to win the game. RPI’s offense was able to register 27 shots, whereas Oswego only managed 10. Oswego’s Perkins ended the game with 12 saves, and RPI’s O’Neil had four.
The Red Hawks next game will be at home against the Hartwick Hawks today at 4 pm, and they will continue their home stand against Drew at 2 pm on Saturday.
