Box Score

TROY, N.Y.—The 19th-ranked William Smith field hockey team played Rensselaer to a 1-1 draw through70 minutes of regulation and 30 minutes of overtime, before the Engineers took a 2-1 victory with a 4-3 triumph in penalty strokes.

Alex Lamparski's stroke sealed the win for RPI, which was set up by a save by Briana Earle. Posting a game-total of 13 stops, Earle made a diving save on junior Kiersten Hamilton's in the fifth round to hand Lamparski the chance to be the hero.

It was a solid defensive effort from the start of the game as both goaltenders made spectacular plays throughout the contest. Heron netminder Taryn Little recorded nine saves, including four in the first half to keep RPI (4-10, 2-4) off the board. Despite several chances by both teams at each end, it was William Smith (10-6, 3-3) who struck first as time expired in the first half.

The Herons took a penalty corner with just seconds left on the clock. An RPI infraction led to another corner as time expired sending Hamilton to the line to insert it. She sent the ball sailing out to the top of the circle and first-year Melanie O'Connor corralled it, took two steps back in, and laced a shot toward the goal. It was redirected at the last minute by Hamilton for the 1-0 lead.

Rensselaer held tough in the second half, their persistence in the Herons' zone finally paying off in the 57th minute as Alissa Peterson scored her second of the season. Sandy Turnbull took a penalty corner, her insertion going out to Peterson at the left side of the top of the circle. She responded with a low shot that beat Little stick side to tie the match.

Neither team was able to capitalize late in the half despite several good chances on each side. Both goaltenders held strong as they headed into the first overtime. Turnbull had back-to-back chances in the first extra session, but was denied by a fantastic kick save from Little.

In the second overtime, both teams came out firing as first-year Taylor Cappello sent a strong shot at Earle from point-blank range which was kicked away.

William Smith will play its final Liberty League game of the season on Sunday, Oct. 24, at Vassar. The Herons will secure the third seed in the conference tournament with a victory over the Brewers (2-13, 0-6). If Vassar wins, William Smith can still earn the fourth seed if Union beats St. Lawrence AND Rochester beats Skidmore tomorrow.

The Rensselaer sports information office contributed to this story.