POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. – The No. 16 Vassar field hockey team dropped a gritty Liberty League opening game to the visiting RPI Engineers on Sunday afternoon. Defenses set the tone, but the Engineers scored a fourth-quarter goal to secure the 1-0 victory at Weinberg Field. The Brewers fall to 7-2 overall and 0-1 in the conference with the loss. RPI moves to 2-5 and 1-0 in the Liberty League.

Not a single shot was taken in the first quarter until Hailey Brigger (San Diego, CA) fired a shot from the left side into RPI defender Abi Herrington. On the rebound, the Brewers were able to draw a penalty stroke. Brigger lined up for the shot, but goalkeeper Jen Richardson made the stop to keep the game scoreless.

The second quarter was more similar, but the Engineers managed to outshoot Vassar 2-0. Vassar goalkeeper Sarah Dumaresq (Barnstable, MA) turned away a shot by Delana Bonci, and then a Brianna Duba attempt was blocked.

Neither defense buckled in the third, with only three total shots taken. Vassar managed two but had a tough time finding any openings through the RPI backline.

RPI drew a penalty corner early in the fourth, and the ball was inserted to Duba at the top of the circle. Duba made the first shot, but it was deflected into the air by a Vassar defender. Bonci pulled a crafty move right in front of the net and tapped the ball midair and right over Dumaresq's stick to take the lead.

Vassar had a few chances to score afterward. First-year Leilani Llamas (Grapevine, TX) slipped past the RPi defenders and fired straight at goal, but the goalkeeper made the stop. The Brewers could not get a shot off on their final penalty corner, and the Engineers stalled time to hold on for the win.

RPI outshoot Vassar 7-6, but the Brewers held a 6-3 corner advantage.

Vassar now travels to Skidmore on Oct. 2 for a 1 p.m. contest.