Box Score Pittsburgh, Pa. - February, 20, 2010 - In a reversal of events, the Robert Morris University Colonials and the Purple Eagles played to a 3-2 score for the second straight night, but this time Robert Morris came away with the victory. Robert Morris overcame a 2-0 Niagara lead early in the first period by scoring one goal in each of the three periods to earn the win.
Junior Carissa Ketcher (Mound, Minn. / Bemidji State) earned her first goal of the season, which also happened to be the game-winner. Kelsey Thomas (Hamilton, Ontario / Hamilton Hawks) led the Colonials with one goal and one assist and Jamie Joslin (Richmond Hill, Ontario / Aurora Panthers) scored her sixth goal of the year in the win.
"The girls showed a lot of heart and grit tonight and I am happy with how they responded from last night," said head coach Nate Handrahan. "It was a hard fought battle and they really came together as a team to earn the win."
The Niagara Purple Eagles earned 2-0 lead early in the first period, but Robert Morris was able to score with less than two minutes left in the contest to close the gap to 2-1 upon entering the second period. At 6:52 Niagara earned its first goal when Jacqueline Spring deflected a shot made by Alison Malty into the lower left corner of the net. Kathleen Bortuzzo also assisted on the play. The Purple Eagles scored their second goal at the 15:38 mark when Jocey Kleiber put in the rebound after Bortuzzo ripped a shot from the point that was saved by junior Daneca Butterfield (Kronau, Saskatchewan / Notre Dame Hounds).
The Colonials relentless play prevented them from ending the first period scoreless. During a 5-on-4 Joslin drilled a shot from just inside the blue-line that bounced off a Niagara player on its way into the net. Junior captain Whitney Pappas (Evergreen, Co. / Belle Tire) was credited with the assist.
The Colonials and the Purple Eagles battled through over 15 minutes of scoreless action, but RMU was finally able to deadlock the score at 2-2 towards the end of the period. After killing off a 5-on-3 opportunity for Niagara and allowing just one shot on goal during the two man advantage, Robert Morris took the momentum and converted it into an unassisted goal by Thomas. Immediately after ending both penalties, Thomas picked up the puck at neutral ice, skated it towards the Niagara net and lofted a shot into the top shelf for the score at 15:25.
Robert Morris grabbed its first lead of the game at 5:27 into the final session when Ketcher found a pass from Thomas and flipped it into the net to earn the win for the Colonials. Courtney Langston (Warrensburgh, Mo. / Shattuck St. Mary's) also assisted on the play. Niagara never gave up its pursuit and continued to attack the RMU net. However, the Colonial defensive unit played resiliently as it blocked 16 total shots in the third period to prevent the score.
Butterfield finished the contest with 23 saves, while Jenni Bauer added 20. The Colonials held the Purple Eagles scoreless on all five power play opportunities, while scoring once on five extra man advantages.
Robert Morris returns to action next Friday, February 26 and Saturday, February 27 to take on Wayne State in the final series of the regular season.
