TROY, N.Y. – Freshman Jordan Smelker netted her first career goal in the second period to tie the game and the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) women's hockey team held on for a 1-1 draw against the University of Vermont on Saturday.  The Engineers, who skated to a 3-3 draw yesterday, are now 0-2-2, while the Catamounts move to 0-0-2 overall.

Both goalies had outstanding efforts in the contest, including Vermont sophomore Kelci Lanthier (Mt. Airy, MD/Mercyhurst), who had a 40-save effort in today's game. She had 14 saves in the first period, eight in the second, 12 in the third and six stops in the overtime session. RPI sophomore Shannon Ramelot (Bloomfield Hills, MI/Honeybaked 19U), who did not face the same volume as Lanthier, still made some outstanding saves and finished with 19 stops.

Vermont once again struck first to open game two as senior captain Celeste Doucet (Memramcook, NB/Ridley College) tallied her second goal of the year at 16:36. Rookie Megan Dalbec (Champlin, MN/Champlin Park) earned the primary assist, passing the puck through the slot from the far circle to Doucet, who roofed a shot over the left shoulder of goalie Ramelot.

Smelker helped pull the Engineers even in the second stanza after she banged home the rebound of an Alisa Harrison (Vienna, VA/Washington Pride) shot at 16:56. Junior Sierra Vadner (Apple Valley, MN/Minnesota Thoroughbreds) started the play, firing the puck in from the far point. Harrison connected and though Lanthier was able to make the stop, she couldn't cover it as it slid to Smelker for the equalizer.

Rensselaer, which held a 41-19 advantage in shots for the game, came on strong in the final period but it was Vermont that nearly pulled ahead as a scramble in front of the net led to the puck going in. The referee initially called it a goal, but it was ruled a handpass minutes later and waived off.

The Catamounts nearly lit the lamp once again nearing the end of the stanza as senior Teddy Fortin (Brunswick, ME/NAHA) skated through the slot to the near circle and rifled a shot at Ramelot, which she deflected away with her right leg.

Rensselaer had its chances as well, posting 12 shots on net in the final period, including another hard charging shot by Smelker, which was deflected by a Catamounts defender in front to keep the score locked at 1-all heading into overtime.

Vermont went 1 for 6 on the power play, while the Engineers were 0 for 4. RPI did hold the advantage in shots with a 41-19 edge.

The Engineers are back on the ice on Friday, hosting the University of New Hampshire – the 8^th-ranked team in the nation – at the Houston Field House (7pm). Vermont opens its Hockey East schedule next weekend, hosting #9 Boston College at Gutterson Fieldhouse.