Game Recap: Union College vs. RPI
TROY, N.Y. – In an exhilarating matchup on Saturday evening, the Union College women’s soccer team secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) at ECAV Stadium. Senior forward Hannah Sams played a pivotal role, scoring the decisive goal in the second half, marking the Garnet Chargers’ second consecutive win and their third straight shutout.
Following this match, Union’s overall record improved to 4-3-3, with a Liberty League record of 2-0-1. The team has impressively maintained a streak of 346 minutes without allowing an opponent to score, showcasing their defensive strength and resilience.
Goalkeeping Highlights
Senior goalkeeper Maya Koster has been instrumental during this stretch, contributing to the team’s defensive success. Koster has now played a significant role in 301:31 minutes of this streak, achieving her 10th career shutout in the win against RPI. This accomplishment places her among the top ten in program history for career shutouts, as she is just one clean sheet away from tying Abby Stohler ’10 for eighth place.
Match Performance
On Saturday, Koster recorded two crucial saves, preventing RPI from finding the back of the net. Union took the offensive initiative early in the match, registering six shots on target in the first half, including two attempts from Sams. However, RPI’s goalkeeper, Ava Gaboury, proved adept in goal, matching Koster’s performance until the halftime break.
Sams’s breakthrough came in the 62nd minute, following a long-range shot from senior Taylor Bovardi. After Bovardi’s attempt hit the crossbar, Sams reacted quickly, tapping the rebound into the back of the net to secure the game’s only goal.
Defensive Dominance
In the wake of this victory, Union limited RPI to just one shot for the remainder of the match that was off-target, highlighting an impressive defensive display. The Garnet Chargers have prohibited opponents from registering double-digit shot attempts in their last four matches, emphasizing their solid defensive strategies.
The upcoming clash against Vassar on October 7 provides Union with an opportunity to extend their winning streak and continue their remarkable run of defensive performances.
