A fourth-quarter RPI goal by Lauren McCarthy was the difference maker at North Country Field at Hall-Leet Stadium, as the visiting Engineers won their first Liberty League contest of the year at the expense of the St. Lawrence University field hockey squad.
McCarthy's goal was the only one of their 1-0 win, as the Engineers improved to 1-4 in Liberty League play and 4-10 overall, while the Saints dropped to 0-5 and 3-10 overall.
The Saints began the game by owning most of the offense in the first quarter, sending four shots on goal in the early stages of the game compared to RPI's zero. Each team took three corners, with
Maggie Spire getting all three of St. Lawrence's.
However, the script flipped in the second. It was the Engineers who had four shots on goal, compared to the Saints' zero. Abby Peterson had a particularly good half for the Engineers, firing six shots on goal and acting as a catalyst for their offense off penalty corners.
RPI continued this pressure in the second half and despite
Cara Vredenburg making several kick saves to ward off the Engineers attacks, they finally busted her shutout bid with 14:35 remaining in the fourth quarter on a low sharp-angle shot by McCarthy.
St. Lawrence pressed hard after allowing the early fourth-quarter goal, directing six shots on target. But goalkeeper Tess Garchinsky kept the Engineers in the lead, ultimately preserving her win.
She made 10 saves for the win in a contest where St. Lawrence an RPI were dead even with 17 shots each.
The Saints' next contest will keep them at North Country Field at Hall-Leet Stadium, when they host Rochester Friday, Oct. 20 at 4 p.m.
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