Box Score Detroit, Mich. - March 4, 2010 - The No. 5 Robert Morris University Colonials captured their first CHA Tournament win on Thursday afternoon at the City Sports Center with a 3-1 victory over No. 4 Wayne State in the quarterfinals. The Colonials and the Warriors played two scoreless second and third periods, but three goals racked up by RMU in the first period propelled them to the triumph.
"I thought we came out very prepared and energetic," said head coach Nate Handrahan. "We got out to a quick lead that you need in the playoffs. I thought we weathered some storms in the second period, but still managed to get some chances, and in the third period we were very difficult to play against."
Freshman Jennifer Kindret (Winnipeg, Manitoba / BC Breakers) scored the game-winner for the Colonials and added an assist, while fellow rookies Dayna Newsom (Oakville, Ontario / Oakville Ice) and Cobina Delaney (Stittsville, Ontario / Ottawa Senators) also captured two points in the victory. Newsom added one goal and one assist and Delaney captured two helpers, assisting on the game-winner.
"I thought Newsom's line was fantastic tonight," said Handrahan. "They were solid defensively and obviously chipped in offensively."
RMU opened up the contest when sophomore Brianna Delaney (Stittsville, Ontario / NCCP Raiders) ended her six-game scoring drought by capturing the opening goal at 2:20 into the first period off an assist from junior Maria Stoa (Bloomington, Minn. / Eden Prairie) to take the early lead.
At 8:05 the Warriors were able to tie the score when Alyssa Baldwin took a shot that scraped past the near post and into the goal. Katrina Protopapas and Christine Jefferson assisted on the play.
Within less than a five-minute span the Colonials captured two rebound goals to grab a 3-1 advantage heading into the second period. Kindret tallied the second Colonial score when she picked up Newsom's shot that bounced off Wayne State goalie Delayne Brian and found the back of the net at 12:59. C. Delaney was also awarded with an assist.
The same line of Colonials struck again less than five minutes later when Newsom scored her sixth goal of the season when she grabbed Kindret's rebound in front of the crease and beat Brian for the score at 17:14. Once again, C. Delaney assisted on the play. That goal was followed with a Wayne State goalie change, with Lindsey Park entering the game.
The Colonials played resilient defense throughout the second and third periods to hold their 3-1 lead and earn the victory.
In the win, junior goalie Daneca Butterfield (Kronau, Saskatchewan / Notre Dame Hounds) tallied 14 saves, while the duo of Brian and Lindsey Park totaled 22 saves. Robert Morris held off three Wayne State power-plays, while the Warriors held RMU scoreless on just one extra man advantage.
The Colonials return to the City Sports Center tomorrow at 4:00 p.m. to take on No. 1 Mercyhurst.
