ALBANY, NY - The Dutchwomen struggled to get started offensively against the Engineers, leading to their ultimate 2-1 demise in the first annual women's Mayor's Cup, this afternoon. 

Union came out early applying pressure to RPI's defense. The Dutchwomen set up several scoring plays, between linemates Cheyenne Harris, Rachel de Perio and Katelynn Russ in the opening minutes of play. However, the Engineer's netminder Lovisa Selander refused to let anything past her.

With 2:03 left in the first period, Ava Reynolds went to the penalty box. Union's penalty kill went to work, and as the RPI power play expired, Reynolds came flying out of the box, picking up a cleared puck from Katie Laughlin. Reynolds had a near breakaway chance, but the first period clock would expire just as she started to gain momentum.

RPI took control over the second period, scoring two unanswered goals. At the 10:04 mark, the Engineers went up on the power play and were able to net the puck on a wrister, with 12 seconds remaining in the advantage. A short while later, RPI would score again by knocking in a high puck past goaltender Coco Francis.

With five minutes to go in the game, victory seemed out of reach for the Dutchwomen. But, with seniors Caitlyn McLaren and Laughlin in the driver's seat, they cut the team's deficit in half. From the point, McLaren took a hard shot that Laughlin managed to tip in.

After a last-minute timeout, Union pulled Francis from the net, but were unable to score the equalizer with the extra attacker. 

RPI would ultimately take home the hardware for the inaugural women's Mayor's Cup game, with a 2-1 victory.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:

• Francis had 23 saves in tonight's game.
• Junior Arianna Kosakowski had seven blocks tonight, five in the first period alone.
• Shots on goal evened out at 25 apiece in today's matchup. 

2018 Capital District Mayor's Cup (Women's)