ALBANY, N.Y. – Russell Sage College erased an early deficit to defeat visiting Nichols 4-2 on Saturday afternoon.

Senior forward Kennedy Jones (Albany, NY/Albany) registered two goals and an assist to help the Gators (1-1) win their home opener.

After the Bison (0-2) capitalized upon an RSC defensive miscue just 33 seconds in, the Gators responded with two goals in a 1:02 span.

Jones factored into both RSC strikes. The second-team All-Empire 8 Conference pick last fall netted the first tally and assisted on the second. Sophomore forward Gianna Viscusi (Duanesburg, NY/Schalmont) scored the go-ahead Gator goal.

Junior forward Alana Snow knotted the non-conference matinee at 2 in the 52nd minute. Now deadlocked, RSC, which out-shot the Bison 20-7 on the afternoon, including 12-4 in the second half, stepped up its pressure attempting to regain the advantage.

In the 69th minute, the Gators broke through. Senior forward Marissa Key (Monroe, NY/Monroe-Woodbury) received a through ball and ran alone onto sophomore goalkeeper Saige Frazier. Her initial shot was stopped by the Bison goalkeeper, but the ball rolled away for Key to secure and deposit into the vacated net.

Jones added an insurance goal with 1:52 left.

RSC returns to the pitch on Saturday afternoon at MCLA.

Notes: Coming off a trip to the Empire 8 Conference Tournament Semifinals, more than 20 players and four all-league selections returned this fall…Senior forward Kennedy Jones (Albany, NY/Albany), a second-team All-E8 pick, sophomore defender Courtney Bush (Schenectady, NY/Mohonasen), senior forward Marissa Key (Monroe, NY/Monroe-Woodbury), and junior defender Amelia Geesler (Glenmont, NY/Bethlehem Central) headlined the returnees.

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