ROCHESTER, NY -- On the strength of a big second half comeback, the RIT women's soccer team defeated St. Lawrence University (6-5-3, 3-3-1 Liberty League) 3-2 in Liberty League action on Saturday. With the win, the Tigers virtually clinch a spot in the Liberty League Tournament improving to 8-7-0 overall and 5-3-0 in the Liberty League.

The Tigers scored all three of their goals in the second half. Freshman Sierra Kiss (Sauquoit, NY/Sauquoit) tallied the eventual game-winner off an assist from Alexa Martinez (Holmdel, NJ/Holmdel) in the 74th minute. Martinez finished with a goal and an assist on the afternoon. Jaime Lewandowski had the other RIT goal and Jackie Jacobson (Westlake, CA/Westlake) added an assist.

RIT outshot the Saints 20-7 and took six corner kicks to four for St. Lawrence. Stephanie Sayward and Betsy Lucas had the Saints goals, while Mackenzie Collins added an assist.

The Tigers controlled play in the opening moments of the first half, generating several very good chances. Rachael Bromson (Suffield, CT/Suffield) sent a cross into the Saints box that Jacobson ran onto. Her shot was stuffed by St. Lawrence keeper Abby van Geldern.

St. Lawrence staved off the early rush by RIT and built momentum in the latter part of the half. The Saints broke through in the 40th minute on a goal by Stepahnie Sayward. The Saints broke in 2-on-1 off a stumble by a RIT defender. Collins fed Sayward on a run. She broke in and fired a shot that beat Ashley Valenti (Honeoye Falls, NY/Honeoye Falls-Lima) low to the right.

RIT regrouped in the second half, tying the score at 1-1 on Martinez's second goal of the season. Jacobson sent a ball into the St. Lawrence area that defelcted off a defender. Martinez was right there and fired a low shot into the corner to even the score.

Jaime Lewandowski gave the Tigers the lead in the 65th minute. She shook her defender and ripped a low shot from 25 yards out that beat van Geldern for her second goal of the season.

The Saints answered back with a goal by Betsy Lucas in the 73rd minute. Valenti punched a cross out of the area that came right to Lucas who chipped a shot over Valneti's head who was caught off her line, tying the score at 2-2.

Just a minute later, Kiss scored her second straight game-winner off a feed from Martinez. She sent a long ball that Kiss ran onto. Kiss juked around her defender and broke in alone, beating a diving van Geldern with a low shot that found the right corner.

RIT's defense closed out the final 16 minutes to clinch the win and a spot in the Liberty League Tournament.

Valenti picked up her seventh win of the season for RIT allowing two goals and making two saves. van Gelder took the loss allowing three goals and making eight saves.

The Tigers have now won four straight games and will host SUNY Fredonia in non-league action next Tuesday, Oct. 25 at 4 pm on RIT Field.

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