POTSDAM, NY--Senior Stephanie Collins (Colton, NY) was once again stellar in goal, making 11 saves, but the Clarkson University Women’s Soccer team was undone by an own goal in the second half and fell 1-0 to Rensselaer in the Liberty League conference opener Friday afternoon at Clarkson Field.

The Golden Knights moved to 4-5-0 overall and 0-1-0 in the Liberty League, and will look to get back on the winning track on Saturday when they host Vassar College. Rensselaer improved to 4-2-1 and 1-0-0 and will face St. Lawrence.

Both teams had a few chances in the first half, but neither team could put together a sustained offensive attack. Clarkson had its chances, but those shots went wide, while Collins was called upon to make a few saves.

The scoreless tie was broken in a rather non-dramatic way midway through the second half. An Engineers striker sent the ball into the box from the corner, hoping to connect with one of her teammates. Several Rensselaer players were ready to take the strike, but the ball bounced away from them and to the Clarkson defenders. In their haste to clear the ball, it ricocheted past Collins for an own goal at 61:13.

In the second half, both teams had chances at the goal, with Rensselaer putting together a consistent offensive attack that had Collins busy on the back line. Clarkson also had a chance early when Andrea Walsh (Underhill Center, VT) nearly one-timed a cross into the net, but Rensselaer’s Stephanie Vargas quickly tipped it over the crossbar to save her shutout.

Rensselaer finished with a 16-8 edge in shots, while the corner kick opportunities were virtually even until late in the contest at 9-5. Collins made her 11 saves in the loss, while Vargas stopped four shots for Rensselaer.