TROY, N.Y. - Rochester took advantage of two first half goals and went on to defeat Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), 2-1, in Liberty League field hockey action at Harkness Field. With the win, the Yellowjackets improve to 7-4 overall and 3-2 in league play. The Red Hawks fall to 6-6 with a 3-2 Liberty League record.

Junior Kari Plewniak (Tonawanda, NY/Sweet Home) opened the scoring in the first half, putting Rochester up, 1-0, at the 7:41 mark. Off a rebound shot by Mary DiMatteo (Belmont, MA/Belmont), Plewniak picked up the rebound, shooting it past Rensselaer goalie Liz Szewczak (Enfield, CT/Enrico Fermi).

The Yellowjackets gained a two-goal advantage less than five minutes later on a shot by senior Kristy Johnson (Sylvan Beach, NY/Camden). Johnson picked up the ball off a deflection in front of the net, taking a shot from the slot which beat Szewczak on the left side.

Rensselaer battled back in the second half when freshman Megan McNamara (Johnstown, NY/Johnstown) scored off a rebound for the tally. Sophomore Sara Stylinski (Southington, CT/Southington) took the initial shot from just inside the circle. The ball rebounded off a Rochester defender to the stick of McNamara, who put it past Yellowjackets goalie Rachel Cahan (Evanston, IL/North Shore Country Day) at 50:54.

Despite numerous opportunities for Rensselaer late in the game, including a shot by sophomore Kristiina Baker (Bolton, MA/Nashoba Regional), which was saved by Cahan who had come out of the net to play the ball, the Red Hawks were unable to equalize.

. Cahan posted five saves in the win for the Yellowjackets. Szewczak made three saves in the first half before senior Jen O'Neil (Derry, NH/Pinkerton Academy) took over in the second frame. She had no saves.