ROCHESTER, NY -- Junior Monique Polanco (Merrick, NY/John F. Kennedy) scored with 25.6 seconds left in regulation to lift the third-seeded RIT women's soccer team (12-3-3) to a 1-0 win over No. 6 seed Clarkson University (8-7-3) in the Liberty League Tournament Quarterfinals at chilly Tiger Stadium Tuesday. With the win, RIT extends its unbeaten streak to eight games and advances to play No. 2 Vassar College in the semifinals Saturday, Nov. 4 at William Smith College.

Shots were 14-6 in favor of RIT. The Tigers took eight corner kicks to one for the Golden Knights. Polanco scored in the 90th for RIT, while Marla Roberts (Penfield, NY/Home Schooled) had the assist. Kelly Rogers (Ardmore, PA/Haverford) got the shutout win in net, making four saves. Elyse Green took the loss for Clarkson, making six saves.

Clarkson had the best scoring chance of the first half in the 32nd minute. Alicia Bushey found herself free in front of the RIT net. She gathered a service and fired a shot from seven yards out. Rogers held her ground and made the save to keep it a scoreless game at halftime. The Tigers fired seven shots in the first half, including three on target.

"Hats off to Clarkson," said RIT head coach Liz Masteson. "They are a great team and our entire program has the utmost respect for how they play."

Emily Thiel (Seattle, WA/Roosevelt) had a chance in th 64th minute. Her shot off a service from Polanco looked to be heading for the far post and in, but Green made the spectacular diving stop to keep the game scoreless. Allison Coon had a chance for Clarkson in the 67th minute, but her shot from distance was corraled by Rogers. Alyssa Tatti (Lake Grove, NY/Centereach) had a chance in the 73rd minute and Mia White (Littleton, CO/Rocky Mountain Deaf School) a chance in the 83rd minute that Green saved.

The game looked to be headed for extra time. However, Roberts played a ball into the Clarkson penalty box that Polanco gathered and fired past Green who came off her line to intercept the pass. Polanco got there first and scored to advance the Tigers to the semifinals.

"I thought we came out with a bit more of an attacking mindset in the second half," said Masterson. "We stayed focused and patient until our chance came."

RIT avenged a 1-0 defeat at Clarkson earlier in the season on Sept. 30. RIT improves to 23-7-2 all-time against the Golden Knights. It was RIT's second win in the Liberty League Tournament.

Game time Saturday in Geneva, N.Y. is 6:30 p.m. RIT and Vassar played to a 1-1 tie on Sept. 23. Ashley Ferry gave the Brewers a lead with her goal in the 58th minute. Sami Alur (Fremont, CA/Irvington) tallied the equalizer in the 87th minute. Vassar is 4-3-3 all time versus RIT.