TROY, NY – Sophomore Nikki Mercer scored both goals, including the game-winning goal with just 20 seconds remaining in regulation as the University of Rochester field hockey team picked up a 2-1 Liberty League win over host Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute on Friday afternoon at Harkness Field.
 
Mercer continues a fabulous week, as she set a new school record with ten points in UR's Tuesday victory over Wells, coming on three goals and four assists.
 
Rochester moves to 10-5 overall on the season and is 3-1 in the Liberty League.  RPI falls to 0-13 on the season and is 0-4 in the conference.
 
The game was a defensive battle throughout, as only 11 shots total were taken between the two teams, six of which ended on goal.  Rochester ended with a 7-4 lead in shots and took seven of the games ten penalty corners.
 
In goal, Kate Kujawa made one save for Rochester while RPI's Jen Richardson made one save as well.
 

The first quarter featured just two shots, both by the Engineers.  RPI used a penalty corner attempt to grab 1-0 lead at the six minute mark.  The PC by Kaitlyn Stulen found the stick of Charisse Stakutis for a shot, but her attempt was blocked.  On the ensuing scrum, Stulen found the loose ball and slipped it past Kujawa for the early lead.
 
Rochester took control of the second period, holding RPI without a shot, while taking five shots and earning three corners.
 
UR's first shot of the game came from Colleen Maillie in the 17th minute but was blocked away by the defense.  Ava Schwartz had a chance for follow up attempt but couldn't control it enough to get a shot away.
 
With a minute left in the half, Rochester earning a PC.  Amanda Strenk took an initial shot which was blocked, attempted a backhand blast after the rebound, but saw it saved off the line by Mikayla Berman for a defensive save.  Mercer was in the right place at the right time though, gathering up the loose ball and slipping in the rebound shot, evening up the match.
 
Neither team could generate much in the way of offense in the third quarter.  Rochester had one shot and three corners, while RPI was held to just one corner.
 
In the fourth, Rochester was forced to play two players down after an early return to the field following a yellow card with just under four minutes left in the game.  RPI used that to gain possession and fire off its first two shots since the first period.
 
Morgan Lee's attempt at the 57 minute mark was blocked away by defender Elisabeth Sidorski, while a shot from Stakutis a minute later was kicked away by Kujawa.
 
Rochester then transitioned after returning to full strength and earned a penalty corner with 40 seconds left on the clock.  Leona Fisher inserted and got the ball to the top of the circle.  Strenk's had an attempt foiled before a shot was made, but the loose ball found its way over to Fisher on the left side of the circle.  Fisher then dumped a pass in front to Mercer who connected on a shot which snuck inside the left post for the winning goal.
 
Rochester returns to action on Sunday, hosting another conference foe in Vassar.  The game is set for noon at Edwin Fauver Stadium.