The RPI women’s soccer team entered the week with some momentum after winning its three previous contests over the likes of Clarkson University, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, and Alfred College. This week, though, would prove to be a tough one for the Red Hawks, who played host to a pair of tough competitors: sixth-ranked William Smith College, and 10th-ranked Hamilton College.
On Saturday, it looked like a good start for Rensselaer, who got on the board first with a score from junior Sarah Hinz. Hinz stole the ball from a defender, attacked the net, and saw her shot go just off the fingers of Heron goalie Alice Binnis to give RPI the 1-0 advantage at the 7:20 mark.
William Smith came storming right back, scoring almost one minute later. Freshman Breylnn Nasypany scored her first goal of the day after corralling a pass from junior Julia Bernay and putting it home past RPI’s freshman goalie Meghan White to tie the game at one.
Nasypany was at it again later in the first, adding to the Heron’s lead at the 32:59 mark. This time she was able to head in a cross from senior Courtney Peters from about six yards out. William Smith would take the 2-1 lead into halftime, after a first half in which looked very fine. For the period, the Herons outshot the Red Hawks 8-3, committed four fewer fouls, 2-6, and had the only corner kick of the half, which was very important because it was one of the opportunities they scored on.
In the second half, it was more of the same, unfortunately, as Rensselaer was still unable to jump-start the offense. Nasypany scored for the third time for a hat-trick, her eighth goal of the year, at the 77:39 mark. Her score made it a 3-1 contest which ultimately would be the final score. On the day, RPI was outshot 5-11, and managed just one corner kick to its opponent’s three. Binns made one stop for the Herons, while White made five for the Red Hawks.
Sunday turned out to be another tough loss for the Rensselaer women, but it was a grudge-match throughout. Hamilton scored the game’s lone goal at the 24:56 mark in the midst of a scramble out in front of RPI’s goal. The ball was not cleared as it made its way to junior Erica Dressler, who drilled a shot from six-yards out for her eighth of the season.
For the remainder of the first, the Red Hawks couldn’t get anything going, managing just one shot on goal and no corner kick attempts. The Continentals, though, despite having nine shots on goal, were only able to put up the single goal. As a result of Rensselaer’s strong defense to keep it close, the team was able to stay in the mix for the rest of the game. White was a bright spot in the first for Rensselaer, stopping seven shots.
In the second half, the tone was similar to that of the first. This time, though, no goals were scored. Hamilton was again ahead in shot attempts, 8-4. RPI committed seven fouls and had no corner kick opportunities in the frame, which made zero for the game. On the day, White made nine saves while Hamilton goalie senior Caitlin McGilley made four.
The Red Hawks return to action on Friday at 4 pm, when they hit the road to take on Vassar College. Vassar is 7-4-1 on the season, coming off of a win over Drew University. Saturday, the women will be back at Harkness Field for the Alumni Game, the start which has yet to be determined. Rensselaer now has a record of 6-5-1 on the season, and it remains a single game above .500.
