TROY, N.Y. – RPI's Sophie Hager  scored with 43.8 seconds left the third overtime to give the Engineers a 9-8 victory over Skidmore College in the Liberty League opener for both teams.

With the win, RPI improves to 3-3 overall (1-0 Liberty League), while the Thoroughbreds drop to 5-3 (0-1 Liberty League).

Skidmore appeared to have scored the winning goal 2:00 into the third extra session, but multiple Thoroughbreds dropped their sticks and, by rule, the goal was disallowed. The Engineers then had two scoring chances in the frame, but a free position try went wide of the target and another shot was stopped by Thoroughbred goaltender Megan Kolopsky with just two seconds to go.

In the second half of the third OT, Skidmore's leading scorer, Tyler Phillips marched the period-opening draw control right down the field, but her attempt was denied by RPI netminder Erin Amarello.

Sixteen seconds later, Kolopsky tipped a shot  over the bar at the other end of the field. RPI then went on the attack, before Hager  was finally able fire past Kolopsky to win it.

Skidmore's  Emma Harris  was the catalyst for the offense throughout regulation, netting a game-high five goals, including the first of the game, which came almost 20 minutes in.

Down 8-7, Harris connected on  a free position goal to tie it (8-8) with 4:00 to play in regulation.  

Both teams had two shots on goal in the first overtime, but Amarello and Kolopsky were up the task on all four occasions. The Engineers carried play in the second OT, but tries from Riley and Wakefield were kept out by the Skidmore backstop.

A turnover-plagued second overtime saw DeLucca get sent to the sideline with a yellow card, but the RPI defense held strong and Amarello came up with a big save on a shot by Skidmore senior Peggy Healy, with 46 seconds left in the period.

Amarello (3-3) finished with 15 saves, including one in each of the final three overtime periods. Kolopsky (5-3) had 14 stops at the other end of the field. Skidmore finished with a 35-31 edge in ground balls and a 15-10 advantage in draw controls. 

Harris paced the Thoroughbreds with five goals and an assist. She also had a ground ball and was 2 for 4 on free position attempts. Phillips had two goals on six shots, with a ground ball, five caused turnovers and three draw controls.

Skidmore hosts Bard College on Friday (4pm).