PITTSBURGH, Pa. - The Robert Morris University women's hockey team took down Mercyhurst 3-2 in overtime Saturday for their first win of 2021.
Joelle Fiala scored the winner it OT, her first of the season. Raygan Kirk made 35 saves in the win.
After a dramatic stop on a breakaway from Kirk to start the game, RMU settled into an attacking rhythm for much of the first, earning some good zone time and cycling the puck well down low in the Mercyhurst zone.
The line of Fiala, Kyleigh Hanzlik, and Anjelica Diffendal kept the pressure up a few shifts later with some great forechecking of their own, nearly stuffing one in from the side of the net on a goalmouth scramble, but it stayed out.
Another close call for Michaela Boyle on the ensuing shift almost opened the scoring again but Silvonen remained well-positioned to make the save.
Despite the pressure, it was the Lakers who opened up the scoring with just under five to play in the first courtesy of Sara Boucher, who broke in on a two-one one with Grace Nells before rifling home a shot after a nice feed through the slot.
Mercyhurst would widen the lead to 2-0 on the power play after Emma Vasko found herself wide open in front of the net, however the momentum would be short lived for the Lakers.
Marah Wagner buried one off the rush just over a minute later, firing a bullet down the left wing side over Silvonen's shoulder.
Emily Curlett tied it up two shifts afterwards, taking a beautiful feed from Hanzlik after she entered the zone with the puck, ripping a shot low blocker side to pull the Colonials back even.
A barrage of scoring chances from MU near the end of the middle frame tested Kirk again, but the sophomore keeper remained sharp turning aside an astounding 24 second-period shots.
Things tightened up in the third as both teams hunted the go-ahead goal, however the Colonials were out their captain after Lexi Templeman was given five and a game for head contact towards the end of the second.
A bouncing puck nearly snuck in between the skate and the post of Silvonen, but it somehow stayed out after more zone time for RMU.
Despite near constant pressure in the final ten minutes as well as a late power-play, RMU could not find a third before time ran out on regulation.
After a full period of pressing, Joelle Fiala finally found pay dirt extra time when a centering pass from Harley bounced off her stick as she was being hauled down on a trip, bouncing up over Silvonen into the back of the net to complete the comeback for RMU.
SCORING PLAYS
Boucher, 15:18, 1st - Assists: Nelles
Vasko, 6:15, 2nd (PP) - Assists: Boucher, Dobson
Wagner, 7:44, 2nd - Assists: Burbidge
Curlett, 8:56, 2nd - Assists: Hanzlik, Marino
Fiala, 2:28, OT - Assists: Harley, Curlett
QUICK HITS
Second straight OT game for RMU…first career OT winner for Fiala…first back-to-back start of the year for Kirk in goal…Leah Marino recorded her first point of the season (1A)
QUOTABLES
"Incredibly proud of the players and the team and the way they responded tonight. To lose Temps for nearly a period and a half the way we did, especially after losing Wasyn at the end last night, we had some big shoes to fill. Right down the roster, we had everyone step up when their number was called. Just a great team win and a gut-check for us." - Head Coach Paul Colontino
UP NEXT
The Colonials make their second full weekend road trip of the season next week when they head to Syracuse, N.Y. for a pair against the Orange on Friday evening and Saturday afternoon.
