BURLINGTON, Vt. - Rensselaer freshman Ali Svoboda scored two goals as the Engineers defeated Vermont 4-0 at Gutterson Fieldhouse Saturday afternoon.
The Engineers came out strong in the first period, outshooting Vermont 8-2. Kelci Lanthier, making her second start of the season, kept RPI off the board as the teams played an scoreless opening 20 minutes.
The Engineers opened the scoring shorthanded 3:33 into the second period. Off a turnover in the neutral zone, Svoboda came in on a two-on-one and beat Lanthier with a wrist shot to the top corner. Svoboda's first career goal was assisted by Kathryn Schilter.
RPI extended its lead five minutes later. The Engineers leading scorer Alisa Harrison deflected a Sierra Vadner shot from the point past Lanthier at the 8:51 mark. Jordan Smelker was credited with the second assist on the play.
Svoboda struck again for Rensselaer on the power play at the 13:28 mark of the second period. From the point she scored top corner off the post past a screened Lanthier.
In the third period RPI added another insurance goal on the power play. Andie Le Donne scored her first goal of the season on another point shot that Lanthier couldn't find through traffic.
Freshman RPI goaltender Kelly O'Brien earned her second consecutive shutout making 18 saves. Lanthier made 17 saves on the night.
Vermont returns to action next weekend when it travels to No. 6 North Dakota for a two-game set.
NOTES: Vermont is now 8-7-3 all-time against RPI ... Rensselaer's Sierra Vadner had two assists on the night ... Vermont was shutout for the first time since Feb. 12, 2011 against New Hampshire ... Check back to UVMAthletics.com for highlights.