University of Rochester Athletics

TROY, NY – Junior goalkeeper Tara Lamberti made a season high 13 saves and Michelle Relin scored her team leading 15th goal of the season to help the University of Rochester to a 1-0 victory over Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute on Friday afternoon in Liberty League field hockey action.
 
With the win, Rochester moves to 12-1 overall and is 4-0 in the Liberty League, clinching a spot in the conference playoffs as RPI, St. Lawrence and Union all having three league losses.  The victory gives UR Head Coach Wendy Andreatta her 100th career victory on the Yellowjacket sidelines.
 

Lamberti was pelted early and often by the Engineers (4-6, 2-3 Liberty League) and then made a couple of key saves in the closing minutes to preserve the shutout, her 4th of the season.  RPI ended the contest with a 21-14 edge in shots, including boasting a 13-8 margin in shots on goal.  The Engineers also held a 10-4 advantage in penalty corners during the game.
 
Relin tallied her goal late in the first half, tying her with Anna Dobrzynski ('11) for the Rochester all-time record in goals scored with 51 in her career.  Rochester gained possession off an Engineer turnover and then the ball found Relin in the circle where she dribbled around RPI goalkeeper Hannah Clough and fired a shot into the low left corner.
 
Clough was equally impressive in the in the Rensselaer cage, making seven saves including a couple strong ones in the second half.  Starting the second half, senior Gina Cunningham broke in on a semi-breakaway but Clough came out of her position to thwart the scoring chance.
 
In the 44th minute, freshman Claire Dickerson then got a 1-on-1 chance with Clough after a long pass from the right wing got through the circle, but the Engineer keeper turned the shot away, keeping the UR lead at 1-0.
 
RPI really amped up the pressure late in the contest, earning multiple corners and testing Lamberti with numerous shots and scoring chances.  The best opportunity came in the 59th minute when Nicole Clancy received a pass in the circle and was 1-on-1 with the UR keeper, but Lamberti stood tall making a great pad save.
 
Rochester continues its road trip tomorrow with a trip to Vassar College for a tilt with the other unbeaten conference team.  The Brewers are 2-0 in the Liberty League after a victory over William Smith on Friday.