The Rensselaer field hockey team took their game on the road for the first time last Tuesday. The Red Hawks traveled to New Hampshire to take on the Keene State Owls. The game started with each team scoring a goal, but Keene State ran away with the game, scoring six more goals.

Freshman Emily Carroll tallied an assist on the lone RPI goal, scored by Laurie Young. Halfway through the first half, the Owls broke the tie with authority, scoring three goals in two and a half minutes. Keene State’s last three goals came during the second half. Tanya Strong and Nichole Garneau both scored two goals for the Owls in the RPI loss.

Coach Bridget LaNoir felt that the team played well initially, but began to lose focus and momentum as the game progressed. “Keene has a couple of strong forwards, and they were able to capitalize on a couple errors.” stated LaNoir. The team will be working together in practice on their mental focus and aggressiveness. LaNoir hopes the team can return to the level of performance they had during the game against Drew last week when they came back from three goals down to win.

The Red Hawks played at home against the Utica Pioneers Sunday. RPI started the game strong, but Utica scored one goal in each half to win the game 2-0.

RPI pressured Utica’s defense from the start, and five minutes into the game Carroll was awarded a penalty stroke after a scrum in front of the Utica goal. Unfortunately, her shot was blocked by Pioneer goalie Jenny Lounsbury.

Three minutes later Utica had its first of many breakaway chances. Defender Alison Haefele was able to get back and knock the ball away from the Utica forward.

RPI continued to lay pressure throughout the game on the Utica defense, but the team was unable to get the ball around Lounsbury. Twenty minutes into the game Karyn Connors got Utica on the board with a deflection of a shot by Cassie Trybendis.

The Pioneers used the momentum from their goal to keep play in front of the RPI goal. Utica’s speedy players were able to break away enough from the RPI defense to get chances on goalie Amanda Lund. RPI started countering again with seven minutes left in the half, but the ball did not find the back of the net.

The second half started with RPI continuing to pressure the Utica defense. Utica started moving fast 10 minutes into the half. Using their speed, the Pioneers got their second goal after a corner with Amanda Ianello assisting on a Shannon Rohacek shot.

Even though the Red Hawks did not let up against the Pioneers’ defense, the Utica players were able to speed past RPI to a 2-0 win. RPI Defenders Haefele and Sarah Salinger both played well, breaking up passes and shots despite combating against a quick Utica team. Utica’s Loundsbury ended the game with six saves, while RPI’s Lund saved five.

The Red Hawks will play at Skidmore Friday, and at Union Saturday. Friday’s game is at 7 pm, and Saturday’s match is at 2 pm.