ALBANY, N.Y. - Georgia Bailey's goal 47 seconds into the second period would lift Rensselaer to the victory in the sixth annual edition of the Capital District Mayor's Cup Saturday, as the Engineers would go on to defeat Union, 1-0.
 
Junior Sophie Matsoukas continued her streak of strong play on the rivalry's biggest stage, making 20 saves in her third career start in the Mayor's Cup. Matsoukas has stopped 78 of the 83 shots she's faced in those three games, good for a .940 save percentage while posting a 1.69 goals against average.
 
The first period served as a feeling out time for the two teams, playing the opening 20 minutes in 30 minutes of real time that saw no goals and no penalties. While the Engineers took the shots advantage into the opening intermission, 6-2, Union registered the opening period's best chance when sophomore Riley Walsh deflected a pass from first-year Iliana Smith just wide of the goal on an unchallenged net drive halfway through the first.
 
Rensselaer wasted no time changing their fortune out of the break, as Bailey's unassisted tally gave the Engineers the lead within the opening minute of the middle period.
 
Each team had their share of chances to either extend their lead or abolish their deficit as the two teams combined for five power plays in the final 30:46 of play. Union was the recipient of two of those advantages in the final 11:37, including for the final 3:38 after senior Allison Smith was cross-checked into the boards and drew a major penalty.
 
Unable to cash in on the 5-on-4, Matsoukas was pulled for the extra attacker for the final 1:52, with the exception of 11 seconds after Union iced the puck. Union fired six shots in this time, including a prime scoring opportunity for first-year Emma Fulawka at the bottom of the circle with a wide open net, but Engineers goaltender Amanda Rampado stoned Fulawka and the Garnet Chargers feverish rally to tie the game to preserve the win.
 
Union would be unable to generate much offense without their leading shot taker and third-leading point-getter, senior Emily King, as the Garnet Chargers registered just 14 shots in the contest, tied for their lowest amount of shots on goal in a game this season.
 
Union will return to Messa Rink on Wednesday, when they begin a three game in four day stretch against a trio of teams that are within three spots of them in the ECAC Hockey standings. Puck drop against Harvard is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.