ANNANDALE-ON-HUDSON, N.Y. - The Bard College women's soccer team lost to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, 2-1, Saturday afternoon, as Liberty League play began for both sides.

With the result, the Raptors fell to 4-3-1 overall, while the Engineers of RPI are now 3-4.

Emily Kaplan (Smithtown, NY) got RPI got on the board first, following her header in the 15th minute. The goal was set up by Emily Dunn (Seattle, WA), who launched the ball in from the right side of the penalty box, where Kaplan was waiting by the left post.

Kaplan managed to rise above the Bard defenders and head it back across the goal into the top right corner. The scored remained 1-0 into the halftime break, as Bard's offensive chances were limited by the smothering defense of RPI.

In the second half, the Engineers were able to double their lead, thanks to a successful penalty kick from Whitney Wisnom (Hillsborough, CA) in the 50th minute. From that point on, the Raptors started to push upfield more with offensive chances, eventually winning a penalty of their own in the 74th minute.

Giuliana Scanni earned the penalty for Bard, after she was taken down following her tough run into the box. Dylan McDonald stepped up and easily converted the penalty for Bard to cut it to a 2-1 game. The goal was McDonald's fifth of the year, which is a new season high for the senior. 

Over the final minutes, the Raptors continued to push offensively, but were unable to find an equalizer, as RPI held on for the win.

The Engineers outshot Bard, 18-8, in the effort. Abigail Stanley finished with five saves for the Raptors, while Joey Lyons (Harwood, MD) collected one save in the win for RPI.

Up next for Bard is another tough Liberty League matchup, as the team travels to No.5 ranked William Smith College on September 29th. That contest is set to begin at 3 p.m. and you can follow it here.