RPI Women's Soccer

Intro

The Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) Women’s Soccer team participates in the National Colligate Athletic Association, Division III. Their mascot is the Engineers and their home turf is East Campus Athletic Village in Troy, New York. The Engineers are members of the Liberty League, a group of teams from universities in upstate New York. [1]

History

In 1985 RPI created a women’s soccer team before there was a regional league for them to play in. In 1995 the Liberty League was founded, originally named the Upstate Colligate Athletic Association (UCAA) until it was renamed in 2004. Along with the Engineers, other original Liberty League members included Clarkson University, Hobart and William Smith Colleges, the University of Rochester, St. Lawrence University, Skidmore College, Union College, and Hamilton (who later departed and joined another conference). Since its founding Vassar College, Bard College, Rochester Institute of Technology, and Ithaca College have joined. The Liberty League is known for its emphasis on academics at these small Division III schools. [2]

Traditionally, there has been a competitive rivalry between the RPI Engineers and their Schenectady neighbors, the Union College Dutchman. Union is located approximately 30 minutes away from RPI and its longstanding rivalry spans many sports such as hockey and football where they play for special game trophies.

Record

By the conclusion of the 2023 season, the RPI Women’s Soccer Team had played over 600 games with an overall winning record of 48%. They had been coached by 13 different coaches.[3] Notably, Jim Townsend coached RPI’s Women’s Soccer team in 1996 and earned a 16-1 record, undefeated in the Liberty League. After the season he resigned to coach pro soccer. At one point during this time, the Engineers were ranked as high as 12th nationally in their division. He only coached for one year and holds the record for the team’s highest win percentage. The season with the most wins was led by Aldo Nardiello, who coached from 1998-2001 and earned the title in his last year with a 17-3 record. Coach Bre Nasypany-Cicero is the current head coach and has been since 2016. She holds the record for the most victories with a total of 47 wins. In the year of 2020, the season was canceled because of COVID-19 safety precautions. [4]

Hall of Fame Members

Several standout athletes from RPI Women’s Soccer have been inducted into the RPI Athletics Hall of Fame. These include Susan J. Bator, a three-sport athlete who set a school record with 722 saves as the team’s goalkeeper from 1992-1994. Laura J. Gregor, another goalkeeper who played from 1996-1999, won Goalie of the Year honors and recorded 370 career saves with an 89% save percentage. Ira Shetty, who played in 1995 and 1996, was also a star in track and field and earned academic recognition. Jennifer Swiderek, who captained the team in 1996, accumulated 138 points over her four-season career (1993-1996). [5]

References

1. "Women's Soccer." Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Athletics, https://rpiathletics.com/sports/womens-soccer. Accessed 15 Sept. 2024.

2. "About the Liberty League." Liberty League Athletics, https://libertyleagueathletics.com/sports/2011/7/7/about.aspx. Accessed 15 Sept. 2024.

3. "Women's Soccer Year-by-Year Results." Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Athletics, https://rpiathletics.com/sports/2016/10/25/womens-soccer-year-by-year.aspx?path=wsoc. Accessed 15 Sept. 2024.

4. "All-Time Women's Lacrosse Head Coaches." Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Athletics, https://rpiathletics.com/sports/2016/10/25/all-time-womens-lacrosse-head-coaches.aspx?path=wsoc. Accessed 15 Sept. 2024.

5. "Hall of Fame: Soccer." Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Athletics, https://rpiathletics.com/honors/hall-of-fame?type=sport#Soccer. Accessed 15 Sept. 2024.