The women’s soccer team at RPI had its remarkable start to the season abruptly halted with losses against the Springfield College Pride this past weekend, and against the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts this Tuesday. Despite the team’s stellar performances in previous games this season, defensive breakdowns in both games cost them dearly.
In a hard-fought game, the Red Hawks fell 3-0 against this non-conference opponent, pulling the Pride to a 4-2 record on the year. Springfield took charge in the opening minutes of the game and never looked back. Within the first two minutes, junior Pride forward Caitlin Sawczuk picked up a loose ball from the RPI penalty corner and sailed a shot over Red Hawk sophomore goaltender Meghan White. Less than 10 minutes later, sophomore defender Gina Calabrese added another tally to the board when she connected on a cross pass from freshman Jen Jahoda to put the Pride up 3-0. Closing out the game in the 41st minute, sophomore Brittney Collins blasted a 45-yard rocket into the upper right corner of the Red Hawks’ net to secure the win.
RPI had many chances late in the first half to put numbers on the board, but was unable to send shots past Springfield goalkeep Sue Jenney, who stopped eight shots on the day. Freshman sensation Alexandra Fontanetta led the Red Hawks in shooting, with three on the day, including one on net.
“I think defending was a big issue, just one-on-one and team defending. Fatigue was also an issue, we’re kind of banged up and playing people around in different places,” said Head Coach Cord Farmer on the team’s dismal performance. “We need a swift kick in the face every once in a while just to force us to bounce back from [the loss].”
Finishing up Tuesday evening, the Red Hawks dropped another game by a score of 4-1, this time to the MCLA Trailblazers at the Lower Renwyck, in a non-league game. Following the performance, Rensselaer is now 5-2 on the season, while MCLA improved to 6-2.
MCLA placed on the board first late into the first half, at 35:52 with a goal into the right corner by sophomore Samantha Miller. Seconds later, the Trailblazers tallied once again as sophomore Jessica Tietgens slid it past White into the right corner.
“We need to be better with our possession … right now we’re just panicking with the ball and giving balls away,” noted Farmer. “It’s time to get back to the basic stuff and once that happens I think things will start to brighten up again.”
The visiting Trailblazers added two more goals in the second half, before RPI responded with one of their own with over three minutes remaining in the game. Rensselaer freshman Stephanie Caouette rocketed a shot from 20 yards out past MCLA goaltender CeCe Von Tiesenhausen-Hush.
“I hope these losses will bring us back to reality. We need to figure out what kind of team we want to be, and the next couple of games will really define us and our program into the future. It’s a good thing for us to have this little problem. We can’t just expect to win all our games. I expected we’d go on a little high, and like now, a little low, and I believe it’s the teams that can stand back up from those lows that will succeed in the season,” explained Farmer.
RPI women’s soccer begins Liberty League play at home this weekend, facing off against the Skidmore College Thoroughbreds Friday night at 4 pm, and against the Union College Dutchwomen Saturday afternoon at 2 pm. Both games will be played on the Lower Renwyck field as the Red Hawks look to redeem themselves.
