Box Score Detroit, Mich. - Jan. 16, 2010 - The Robert Morris University Colonials captured a two goal lead midway through the second period, but the Wayne State Warriors responded with three consecutive goals to earn a 3-2 victory over the Colonials at the City Sports Center on Saturday afternoon. Both Colonial goals were scored by freshmen on the power play.
With the loss, the Colonials drop to 5-17-1 and 0-6-1 in CHA play, while WSU improves to 8-9-3 and 4-4-0 in league play.
"We played hard and perhaps deserved a better fate," said head coach Nate Handrahan. "We are in the midst of a battle within ourselves to overcome the negatives. We need to be stronger mentally to be able to break through."
For the third consecutive game the Colonials played through a scoreless first period. Despite the lack of scoring, both squads had numerous opportunities, with Wayne State firing off 11 shots and the Colonials taking 10 shots.
The Colonials were the first to break the silence in the second stanza of action with two 3-on-5 goals within a two minute span of each either. The first came at 6:22 when freshman Kathleen McDonald (Kamloops, British Columbia / Team BC & POE) found a rebound shot and tipped it into the net to earn the Colonials a 1-0 advantage. The goal marked her third of the season and the assists were made by sophomore Brianna Delaney (Stittsville, Ontario / NCCP Raiders) and senior Jacki Gibson (Burlington, Ontario / Burlington Barracudas).
At 7:35 Jamie Joslin (Richmond Hill, Ontario / Aurora Panthers) added to the Colonial lead with another power play goal when she rifled the puck past Warrior goalie Delayne Brian off assists from junior captain Whitney Pappas (Evergreen, Colo. / Belle Tire) and freshman Jennifer Kindret (Winnipeg, Manitoba / BC Breakers).
RMU held its two goal lead for the next few minutes, but the Warriors were able to cut into the Colonial lead at 11:09 with a power play goal by Katrina Protopapas. Lauren Ragen and Alyssa Baldin were credited with the assists on the play.
Just like the Colonials, the Warriors earned their second goal within two minutes of their first score when Julie Ingratta lit the lamp at 11:09 to knot the score, 2-2.
Robert Morris and Wayne State headed into the final session knotted, but Wayne State was able to break the deadlock at 6:45 with a shorthanded goal. Michelle Frappier found a loose puck and sent it up the ice to Veronique Laramee-Paquette who beat junior goalie Daneca Butterfield (Kronau, Saskatchewan / Notre Dame Hounds) when faced one-on-one with the netminder to take a 3-2 lead. Neither team scored for the remainder of play to give the Warriors the win.
The Colonials went 2-of-9 on extra man opportunities, while Wayne State was successful on 1-of-5 opportunities. Butterfield finished the game with 24 saves, while Brian finished with 27 saves.
The Colonials return home next weekend to take on Sacred Heart in a two-game series on Friday, Jan.22 and Saturday, Jan. 23 with both games starting at 7:05 p.m.
