The Rensselaer women’s hockey team entered Saturday’s season finale against the nationally-ranked Cardinals of Plattsburgh State looking to gain some momentum for next weekend’s ECAC East Tournament. Unfortunately it was not to be, as the visiting Engineers were shutout by the second-ranked Cardinals, 3-0.
RPI stayed with Plattsburgh in the first period, out-shooting the Cardinals 5-4. The Engineers however, could not take advantage of two Plattsburgh penalties late in the period.
The Cardinals picked up the pressure in the second, out-shooting RPI 13-4 in the period. Plattsburgh got the only goal they would need four minutes into the period when Kelly Moore took a pass from Lynn Taylor on a two-on-one and beat junior Rosina Schiff. With a minute left in the second, Jenn Clarke doubled the lead off an assist from Katie D’Arcy.
Three and a half minutes into the third, Jamie Longo made the score 3-0 when she beat Schiff off assists from Elizabeth Gibson and Clarke.
Rensselaer head coach John Burke decided to replace Schiff after the Longo goal, putting senior Julie Vallarelli into net. Vallarelli did well in relief making three saves.
Cardinal goalie Carolyne Roy made 10 saves for Plattsburgh, who improve to 19-4-1. Schiff took the loss for the Engineers, making 17 saves. RPI falls to 20-5-0 on the season.
The Engineers finish the season this weekend when they travel to Rye, N.Y., to participate in the ECAC East Tournament. On Saturday, top-seeded Manhattanville takes on fourth-seeded New England College at 3 pm and second-seeded RPI takes on third-seeded RIT at 6:30 pm in semifinal action. The winners play Sunday in the championship game at 2 pm.
