Box Score Niagara, N.Y. ? Feb. 27, 2009 ? In a hard fought game, the Robert Morris University women's hockey team fell to the Niagara Purple Eagles, 3-2, in overtime on Friday night at Dwyer Arena. This is the second consecutive game against Niagara that the Colonials were upended by the Purple Eagles with a 3-2 score.
The Colonials were either leading or were tied with the Purple Eagles throughout regulation, but the Purple Eagles grabbed the win with a clutch goal 3:50 into overtime. The loss drops the Colonials to 12-19-2 overall and 5-9-1 in league play, while the Purple Eagles improve to 5-24-4 overall and 2-11-2.
The Colonials and the Purple Eagles battled through 10 minutes of action before an indent was made on the scoreboard. At 10:38 freshman Brianna Delaney (Stittsville, Ontario / NCCP Raiders) captured her 17th goal of the season to put RMU up 1-0. Sophomore Whitney Pappas (Evergreen, Co. / Belle Tire) was credited with the assist.
Less than two minutes later, Niagara's Frances McPhail answered back with a goal to knot the score 1-1 at the end of the first period.
The Colonials and the Purple Eagles played grueling defense throughout the second period. Despite nine shots by the Colonials and eight by the Purple Eagles neither team was able to get the puck past its opponent.
At 7:20 into the third period, senior captain Kristen Miles (London, Ontario / London Devillettes) beat Niagara goalie Nikki Rudy to regain the lead 2-1 on an unassisted play. Unfortunately, at 12:17 Niagara's Leah Whittaker was able to answer back and knot the game once again at 2-2. Neither team was able to score throughout the remainder of the third period forcing the game into overtime.
At 3:50 in overtime Niagara established the win when Natalie Larsen grabbed a pass from Whittaker and Ashley Riggs and scored the game-winner.
Senior goalie Brianne McLaughlin (Sheffield Village, Ohio / Ohio Flames) finished the game with 30 saves, while Rudy tallied 23. Neither team was able to capitalize on the power-play, with RMU going 0-for-7 and Niagara going 0-for-3.
The Colonials head back to Dwyer Arena tomorrow night at 7:00 p.m. for a rematch against the Niagara Purple Eagles in the second game of the series.
