Just a week removed from a 3-1 win over Oneonta State that brought the field hockey team up to .500 on the season, a disappointing weekend emerged as the team fell first to Skidmore College on Friday and then to Union College on Saturday. The double losses during the first league games of the year dropped the Red Hawks to 3-5 overall.
Friday afternoon’s game against the Skidmore Thoroughbreds was tied at zero until visiting junior Elise Britt scored twice within 14 seconds in the 31st minute as the first half came to a close. RPI had held off a dominating offense for nearly half the game at that point. The visitors wouldn’t relent, as they came on strong early after the break and increased their lead to three in the first two minutes of resumed play.
The Red Hawks did get a chance with a last-minute breakaway, but when the damage was done, Skidmore had outshot RPI 26-5. Although sophomore goalie Kate Williams made 12 saves, RPI was defeated 5-0 as the Thoroughbreds recorded their third shutout of the season.
The next afternoon, the Red Hawks traveled to Schenectady to face Route 7 rival Union College. The game remained tied until the last 15 minutes of the first half. In a flurry of activity, the Dutchwomen scored two goals within minutes of each other. Union extended its lead to three as time expired in the half. An offensive push in the second half by RPI led to a number of opportunities, finally capitalizing on one with senior Michelle Clemente’s goal 66 minutes into the game.
The Red Hawks, however, couldn’t complete the comeback and fell short by two goals, losing the second game of the weekend 3-1.
RPI welcomes Vassar College on Wednesday for a 7 pm game under the lights on Harkness Field.
