Box Score

ITHACA, N.Y. -- Junior Rebecca Johnston recorded a hat trick to lead Cornell in a 6-1 victory over Rensselaer on Saturday afternoon at Lynah Rink, securing a trip to the ECAC Hockey semifinals with a 2-0 series sweep of the Engineers. Cornell improved to 28-2-1 with the victory, while RPI ends its season with a 10-18-7 record. The Big Red will host either Clarkson or Quinnipiac on Thursday, March 3 at a time to be determined for a spot in the ECAC Hockey championship game.

Unlike Friday's overtime victory, the Big Red came out quick and dominated from the start, with Johnston getting on the board just 2:13 in. After Chelsea Karpenko made it 2-0 in the first minute of the second period, RPI got a great goal from Alisa Harrison on a rebound after a great save by Cornell's Lauren Slebodnick to cut the deficit to 2-1. Cornell answered four minutes later to extend the lead to 3-1, then scored three times in the third to finish the Engineers off.

Cornell held a dominant 39-10 advantage in shots and killed off both penalties it committed, but was just 1-of-6 itself on the power play, though one was a two-second try to end the game on a late RPI penalty. Johnston scored in each period for the Big Red, while Slebodnick answered when called upon, making nine saves. Karpenko added two goals, while Laurieanne Rougeau, who was named ECAC Hockey's top Defensive Defenseman was credited with a pair of assists, as was Brianne Jenner.