The RPI field hockey team took a pair of games this weekend, the first from nationally ranked Skidmore Thoroughbreds and the second from cross-town rival Union Dutchwomen.
The Red Hawks looked like the underdogs going into Friday’s match against the ninth-ranked Thoroughbreds. The first fifteen minutes were dominated by the Skidmore offense, but the Red Hawks evened the flow halfway through the first period.
After three minutes of back-and-forth play, the Red Hawks found some offensive rhythm. Off a shot from the outside, Andrea Flynn deflected a shot past Skidmore goaltender Megan McAdams to put the Red Hawks up 1-0.
Strong defense at the end of the first half kept the one-goal lead intact into halftime. Elisa Prange saved a goal, clearing a ball out of mid-air for a defensive save. Amanda Lund played an amazing half, making six saves in the first session.
The Thoroughbreds switched goaltenders at the half, but Sondra Sherman burned the fresh goaltender four minutes into the second. Sherman blasted a ball through the middle, and found the back of the goal at 39:22 to put the Red Hawks up 2-0.
Lund made the lead hold up for RPI, turning aside all four shots she faced in the second. The Red Hawks came away with a stunning 2-0 upset of the nationally ranked Thoroughbreds.
The RPI momentum continued through their Saturday match-up with the Union Dutchwomen.
The Red Hawks’ offense dominated throughout the first half, out-shooting the Dutchwomen 10-1. The RPI push paid off at the 21:10 mark, when Sherman scored off a great move.
The offense continued to fire on all cylinders, and Sherman found the net again just 1:44 later. Sarah Salinger assisted on the goal.
Sherman got the hat trick just before the end of the half. All by herself, she put another good move to pass the defense and pushed the ball past Union goalie Amanda Meissner.
Up 3-0 at the half, the offense backed off, but the Dutchwomen still could not stop Sherman. At 40:16, Sherman scored her fourth goal of the game to put the Red Hawks up 4-0.
Lund and Jen O’Neil combined for the shutout each turned aside one shot apiece.
For their weekend efforts, Sherman and Lund earned Liberty League awards. Sherman was named the Offensive Player of the Week, and Lund was named the Defensive Player of the Week.
Monday Sherman was recognized as National Field Hockey Division III Player of the Week by womensfieldhockey.com
The Red Hawks are now 4-3 and 2-0 in Liberty League play. They will continue their league schedule today, with a match-up at Vassar College. The Red Hawks then travel to Hamilton College on Friday and St. Lawrence University on Saturday.
