Box Score Pittsburgh, Pa. - February 5, 2010 - In a highly physical game, the Robert Morris University Colonials dropped their second straight contest to the No. 1/2 Mercyhurst Lakers by a score of 4-0 on Friday evening at the RMU Island Sports Center. The Lakers took advantage of several infractions made by the Colonials, scoring two of their goals on the power-play.
Despite the loss, the Colonials played a strong aggressive game against the top ranked Lakers and had several close calls at the net. RMU fired off 20 shots, while Mercyhurst added 34.
"I was pleased with the first two periods of play," said head coach Nate Handrahan. "We executed, for the most part, our game plan with the exception of scoring. In the third period we failed to put any consistent pressure on them and when you let good teams get opportunities, sooner or later they are going to cash in."
Mercyhurst put its first dent in the scoreboard at 5:04 in the first period when Samantha Watt sailed the puck into the top left shelf of the RMU net to give the Lakers an early 1-0 lead. Vicki Bendus's face-off win triggered the goal and gave her the assist, marking her 28th of the season.
The Colonials came close to evening up the score when the RMU offense put on a productive attack during a power-play opportunity towards the end of the period and fired off five consecutive shots. However, Mercyhurst goalie Hillary Pattenden remained strong between the pipes to keep the Lakers 1-0 lead intact.
Throughout the second period, the Colonials suffered several penalties, giving the Lakers three extra-man advantages. Mercyhurst was able to convert on one of those chances when Pamela Zgoda found the puck behind the net and sent it to Kelley Steadman who backhanded the puck into the net for her 14th goal of the season. Lauren Jones was also awarded with an assist.
The Lakers added two goals to their collection within a three minute span during the third period. Bendus earned her 22nd goal of the season when she fired a shot into the net at 6:31 off an assist from Jesse Scanzano. At 9:28 Bailey Bram also captured her 22nd goal when she scored the Lakers second power-play goal of the game to finalize the score, 4-0. Cassea Schols assisted on the play.
Junior goalie Daneca Butterfield (Kronau, Saskatchewan / Notre Dame Hounds) registered 30 saves in the contest, while Pattenden made 20 stops and earned her fourth shutout of the season.
RMU was unsuccessful on eight extra man advantages, while the Lakers scored on 2-of-6 power play opportunities.
The Lakers and the Colonials meet again tomorrow to compete in the second game of the series at the RMU Island Sports Center. The puck drops at 7:05 p.m.
