Box Score Detroit, Mich. - Jan. 15, 2010 - The Robert Morris University Colonials competed in their first CHA contest in over a month and fell to the Wayne State Warriors, 1-0. The Colonials and the Warriors fought through two scoreless periods, but the Warriors prevailed with a goal in the third period to hand RMU its sixth straight defeat and second consecutive shutout loss.
With the loss, the Colonials drop to 5-16-1 and 0-5-1 in CHA play, while WSU improves to 7-9-3 and 3-4-0 in league play.
"I loved our effort last night and we gave ourselves a chance to win," said head coach Nate Handrahan. "It was a classic example of them cashing in on their opportunities and us not."
Robert Morris started off the contest with the upper hand, outshooting the Warriors 11 to 5 in the first period. However, the Colonials were unable to get any of their shots to find the back of the net. The RMU defensive unit did a good job preventing the Warriors from scoring to send the game into the second period with a scoreless game.
The second period was also a defensive battle between the Colonials and the Warriors, as neither team was able to score. Within the quiet period, Wayne State fired off eight shots, while RMU made six attempts.
A dent was finally made in the scoreboard when Wayne State's Katrina Protopapas beat RMU goalie Kristen DiCiocco (Niagara Falls, Ontario / Stoney Creek Jr. Sabres) with her 10th goal of the season at 7:31 in the third period. WSU goalie Delayne Brian and Alyssa Baldin assisted on the play.
In an effort to tie the game, the Colonials pulled their goalie with a little over a minute left to play, but were unable to score with the extra man.
The Colonials held the Warriors scoreless on all five of their power play opportunities, while RMU was unsuccessful on two chances. Robert Morris finished the game outshooting the Warriors 24 to 19 with DiCiocco making 18 saves and Brian earning 24 saves in her third shutout of the season.
The two squads meet again for game two of the series tomorrow at 2:00 p.m. at the City Sports Center.
