SAINTS OPEN SEASON WITH 1-0 WIN OVER RPI

TROY, N.Y. - Junior Donandrea Myette (Portsmouth, R.I.) scored the game's only goal in the 64th minute and the Emmanuel College women's soccer team held off Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), 1-0, despite a 22-4 discrepancy in shots in a first round game of the Rensselaer Invitational. This was the season opener for both teams.

The homestanding Engineers controlled the play throughout, but could not find the back of the net with any of their eight shots that were on goal. For the visiting Saints, Myette saw her left-footed shot from the left corner of the 18-box land just inside the bar for the only goal. Senior Meghan Zerba (Cumberland, R.I.), who sent the ball to Myette, earned the assist on the play.

RPI had its chances, including an apparent goal off the foot of Sara Rothschild (Manlius, N.Y.) that was called back for offside midway through the first half. Rothschild had another chance, this one only three minutes into the second half, but her shot was just wide of the net.

A Rensselaer free kick from 35-yards out made its way to the far post but Giana Abballe (Old Tappan, N.J.) had her shot roll wide left with 28 minutes remaining. RPI's final prominent chance came with just under five minutes left when Emmanuel's goalkeeper Jessica D'Ottavio (Pawling, N.Y.) made a diving save on a lofted shot from the right side of the box.

D'Ottavio finished with eight saves and recorded the shutout in the season opener, while RPI's Deanna Amoia (Tappen, N.Y.) stopped one shot.

Both teams are back in action on Saturday afternoon at 4:30pm. The Engineers play Johnson and Wales University, which lost 4-0 in the first round, at ECAV Stadium.  Emmanuel will take on Union College at Renwyck Field. The winner of that game claims the tournament title.

Click to view Livestats from tomorrow's game between Emmanuel and Union.

- Release courtesy of RPI Sports Information