Hamilton College's Tracey Stafford '23 scored two goals and the Continentals posted a 4-1 non-conference win against the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Engineers at Hamilton's Goodfriend Field on Tuesday evening.
 
Season update
Hamilton was playing its 2022 season opener while RPI dropped to 1-2 overall.
 
How It Happened

• Hannah Dillon '24 slapped a shot that was saved by the goalkeeper and gained control of the rebound. Dillon wheeled and sent the ball towards the cage from a couple feet right of the penalty stroke dot. Stafford, who was positioned next to the goalkeeper, tipped the ball past the keeper's feet 4:16 into the first quarter.
• Delaney Grace '25 inserted the ball on a penalty corner to Dillon, who was standing a few feet to the right of the top of the shooting area. Dillon took one dribble forward and hammered a shot into the back of the cage with 6:50 left in the first.
• Neither team scored again there was 4:53 remaining in the third quarter. Maura Holden '23 stuffed the loose ball into the cage after a shot by Alana King '24 was stopped, and the Continentals led 3-0.
• Rachel Banister spoiled Hamilton's shutout bid with 9:52 left in the fourth quarter when she swept in a backhand shot from a few feet above the penalty stroke dot.
• Stafford clinched the win with a fantastic individual effort just 68 seconds later. She carried the ball into the shooting area on the right side, maneuvered past two defenders along the end line, and wristed a shot into the back of the cage.

 
Notes

• In her first collegiate start, Abby Griffin '26 needed to make just one save – early in the third quarter -- for the Continentals.
• Stafford recorded her second multi-goal game at Hamilton. She has 27 career points on 12 goals and three assists.
• Dillon posted a career-best three points with her goal and assist.
• Holden leads all active Continentals with 14 career goals and 33 career points.
• Jen Richardson made nine stops for the Engineers.
• Hamilton enjoyed a 15-3 shot advantage and a 5-4 edge in penalty corners.
• The Continentals lead the all-time series 19-12. They have won five straight against RPI and nine of the last 10 meetings.
• Hamilton received votes in the National Field Hockey Coaches Association Division III Top 20 preseason poll.
• Engineers' head coach Bre Lowe was an assistant coach at Hamilton from 2016 through 2019.

 
Next Game
Hamilton travels to nationally ranked No. 5 Trinity College for its first NESCAC game this year on Saturday, Sept. 10. Start time is set for 11 a.m.