The RPI Red Hawks field hockey team took the field last Wednesday against the Hartwick Hawks. The Red Hawks started strong with a goal within the first two minutes of the game, but fell short to the Hawks in the end. The Red Hawks were able to tally a win Saturday against the Drew Rangers to improve their record to 3-1.
RPI’s first goal against Hartwick was scored by junior Jessica Pearson. Pearson was able to carry the ball past the defense and shoot it past Hawks’ goalie Megan Davis. Rensselaer’s defense held strong for most of the half, and the offense continued to drive Hartwick’s goal. With eight minutes left Jessica Butler had a great chance off of a penalty corner, but she could not convert.
Hartwick finally got on the board with only a minute and a half left in the first half. In a crowd in front of the net, Kelly Cooman found a shot by Ashley Taylor and was able to tip it into the goal.
The second half started with Hartwick controlling the play. The Hawks continued to drive, and Jenev Shilling scored the Hawks’ second goal by deflecting a shot by Cassandra Holleran after a penalty corner. Ten minutes later Hartwick scored again with Holleran getting the ball past RPI goalie Amanda Lund.
Coach Bridget LaNoir called a timeout, and RPI began to look more alive on the field after that. The Red Hawks began to pressure the Hawks and with ten minutes left in the game freshman Emily Carroll was awarded a penalty shot. Carroll was able to shoot the ball under Davis’ stick to get the Red Hawks within one.
One minute later Shilling soured RPI’s mood by scoring her second goal of the game to put Hartwick up four to two. Rensselaer continued to drive toward Davis, but the Red Hawks could not come back to tie the game. Hartwick goalie Davis made 14 saves, while RPI’s Lund saved eight.
The Red Hawks took the field again Saturday against the Drew Rangers. Drew started quickly, with Lara Lamparski, Becky Steinhilber, and Sarah Bergmann each scoring a goal in the first 15 minutes of the game before RPI rallied for a great come-from-behind win. Sherman got Rensselaer on the board with only six minutes left in the first half with her second goal of the season.
RPI came alive in the second half with a couple of good rushes up the field in the opening minutes. The Rangers countered by continuing to pressure the Red Hawks’ defense.
With only 15 minutes left in the game, RPI’s persistence prevailed. After a cluster in front of Drew goalie Tara Connelly, RPI was awarded a penalty corner, and Patty Rodziewicz scored her first goal of the year off a pass from Butler.
The Red Hawks were relentless in their pursuit of another goal. With only five minutes left in the game, Laurie Young received a pass from Bridget Rice and made a diving play to get the ball past Connelly to tie the game.
RPI took the lead for the first time with three minutes left when freshman Andrea Flynn found the ball during a scrum in front of the net and shot it in to score her first collegiate goal. The Drew coach called a time out, but there was no stopping RPI. Drew was starting to get chances after play resumed, but their time was waning. The Red Hawks defense held strong throughout the second half and the game ended 4-3 with an exciting comeback win for RPI. Drew’s Connelly ended the game with seven saves, while RPI’s Lund saved eight.
The Red Hawks next game will take place at Harkness Field against the Utica Pioneers Sunday at 1 pm.
