Senior Forward Christi Bottcher scored three goals, including the game winner, to give the University of Rochester a 7-5 win over visiting RPI in Liberty League field hockey action. The win is their fourth in a row.
Rochester got off to another quick start as Amanda Case tipped in an Allison Beardsley shot just 54 seconds into the game to give the Yellowjackets an early 1-0 advantage. Less than five minutes later, Liz Fletcher's unassisted goal extended the lead. It was her first of the year.
The Engineers would close the gap to 2-1 when Sandy Turnbull scored a breakaway goal three minutes later. Rochester would make it 3-1 when Shayna McKie put in a rebound from point blank range. Bottcher's first goal of the game came five minutes later after she fired a shot from the top of the circle that snuck past goalie Sarah Burcher (assist to Amanda Case), giving the Yellowjackets a 4-1 lead.
With less than five minutes remaining in the half, McKie would score her second of the game, this time thanks to a Bottcher assist. RPI would answer moments later when Jessica Corrigan scored an unassisted goal. The Yellowjackets would enter halftime with a 5-2 lead.
RPI would score three unanswered goals (two by Jessica Corrigan) to start the second half and even the score at 5-5. With just over seven minutes left to play, Bottcher beat a defender off a penalty corner and launched a shot from the top of the circle that found the back of the goal. Four minutes later she would strike again thanks to another Amanda Case assist. Case's penalty corner was directed at Bottcher, who moved to the right wing and sent a shot past three RPI defenders. RPI would not answer, and the Yellowjackets would earn a hard fought 7-5 win.
Bottcher's hat trick moves her season total to five. She also leads the team in assists with five. Case's goal gives her the team lead with seven on the year, while Shayna McKie added her third and fourth goals of the season. Allison Beardsley tallied two assists on the night, giving her three on the year.
Danielle Pearson would go the full 70 minutes in goal for Rochester, making eight saves to earn her 7th win.
With the win, the Yellowjackets find themselves in sole possession of fourth place in the Liberty League.
They will return to action on October 14 when they travel to Ithaca for a 4:00 pm start.
