Rochester, N.Y. – Two power-play goals were not enough for the
Robert Morris University women's hockey team as the Colonials fell to the Rochester Institute of Technology, 3-2, in College Hockey America (CHA) play this afternoon from the Gene Polisseni Center.
Robert Morris (6-12-3, 3-5-2 CHA) settles for a series split with RIT (8-12-3, 2-6-1 CHA) and remains a point out of fourth place in the CHA standings.
The Colonials controlled the first two minutes of the contest, keeping the puck in the offensive zone while managing to change lines three times. However, the Tigers would dent the scoreboard first as Marissa Magueri redirected a pass across the crease to put RIT up 1-0.
RMU would earn its first seven power play opportunities shortly after and almost capitalized on it. The Colonials' best chance came when senior captain
Rebecca Vint threw a nice pass in front for sophomore forward
Mackenzie Johnston, but she pushed it wide.
The Tigers doubled their lead with 11:43 remaining in the opening stanza. A turnover in the offensive zone set up a one-timer chance for Cassie Clayton, which she buried to make it 2-0.
It didn't take long for RMU to cash in on its second power play of the contest as senior assistant captains
Maddie Collias and
Katelyn Scott linked up for a goal. Collias gathered a pass near the left boards and centered a pass to Scott in the slot, leaving the defenseman free for a shot that trickled through the five-hole of RIT goaltender Ali Binnington. The goal was Scott's second of the season, while Collias and freshman
Katherine Murphy were credited with the assists.
The middle frame was a scoreless affair once again, but the Colonials had their chances as they doubled the Tigers in shots, 10-5.
After RMU killed off a roughing penalty from senior forward
Katie Fergus, the Colonials went on the power play early in the third period. The visitors' best chance came from Johnston, but her backhand attempt in the slot was stopped by Binnington.
RIT came back with a dangerous shot of its own, but sophomore netminder
Jessica Dodds was there to make a beautiful glove save. However, the Tigers would get their third goal with 8:06 remaining when a bouncing puck found Carly Payerl's stick near the crease.
The Colonials again cut the RIT advantage to one on their seventh power play of the game. Collias gathered a loose puck in the offensive zone and deked two defenders before sliding it in past Binnington for her second goal of the season.
RMU called a timeout late with the puck in its defensive zone, but the Tigers would win the ensuing face-off and killed most of the remaining minute to seal the win.
Dodds stopped 24 of 27 shots in the loss.
Robert Morris returns home next weekend to complete the non-conference slate of its schedule as it welcomes No. 5 Quinnipiac to the Steel City. Opening face-off between the Colonials and Bobcats on Friday, Jan. 16 is set for 3:05 p.m. from 84 Lumber Arena.
