ALBANY, N.Y. –  Russell Sage College erased a six-goal first half deficit to force tonight's home opener vs. Bard to come down to the final possession. The net-front scramble for the golden Brine ended up in the cradle of senior goalkeeper Roxanne Rouskas allowing the visitors to secure a 9-8 non-conference victory.

RSC featured a balanced offense against the Raptors. Sophomore attacker Grace Hines (Schenectady, NY/Guilderland) topped the Gators with three goals, while junior attacker aroline Musinski (Bennington, VT/Mt. Anthony Union) and sophomore attacker Alexandra Queeney (Johnstown, NY/Johnstown) netted two goals apiece. Junior goalkeeper Madeline Butta (Millbrook, NY/Our Lady of Lourdes) stopped 11 shots.

After Bard (2-1) used a 6-0 run across 15:24 to take a 7-1 lead midway through the second quarter, the Gators responded with three goals in a 2:01 span to head into the intermission trailing 8-4.

RSC continued to cut into the Bard advantage following the break, scoring the only two goals of the third period to get within striking distancing going into the final frame.

The Gators completed the comeback when defender Caitlyn Lopeck (Valley Stream, NY/Valley Stream South), a grad student, tied the contest at 8 with 9:17 remaining in regulation.

With 3:06 left, freshman attacker Sarah Child broke the deadlock with a free-position goal. The tally was the first for the Raptors in 28:20.

RSC had its chances down the stretch  but was unable to re-tie the contest.

Child topped all participants with five points on four goals and one assist, while Rouskas made eight saves.

Looking ahead, the Gators (0-2) play next at Mount Saint Mary College on Wednesday at 5:00 PM.

Notes: The spring marks the first with Alyssa Treanor as the head coach of the Gators...Queeney leads RSC in scoring with seven points on five goals and two assists.

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