Erie, Pa. – The Robert Morris University women's hockey team picked up their first conference win of the season on the road, beating Mercyhurst, 3-2. The Colonials move up to 4-6-0 overall on the season and are 1-1-0 in the CHA. Mercyhurst is now 4-7-1 in the campaign and are also 1-1-0 in conference play.
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
RMU rebounded well Saturday afternoon in Erie, Pa., but the game started in favor of the Lakers.
In the first two minutes of the game, Sara Boucher gave the home side an early, 1-0 lead.
Over the next eight minutes, Mercyhurst continued to post more shots as they peppered another 10. Starting in net for the Colonials,
Maggie Hatch stood tall, keeping the team within one.
Persevering through the stretch, RMU stayed disciplined and the Lakers took a hooking penalty.
Headed onto their first power play of the game, the Colonials took advantage, as freshman
Alaina Giampietro bashed in a rebound, tying the game up, 1-1.
Across the last seven minutes, Hatch made another eight stops going into the first intermission.
Heading into the middle frame, RMU's penalty kill unit was tested three times in the period. The shorthanded unit along with Hatch successfully killed off all three of Merychurst's power plays.
RMU received one power play chance, not scoring, but succeeded on their next chance in the third period.
Five minutes into the third period, sophomore forward
Madison Primeau won an important faceoff for the special team's unit. Keeping possession in the offensive zone, after a shot from the point, the puck bounced out to Primeau on the right side of the ice. Without hesitating, she wristed it into the back of the net, giving the Colonials their first lead.
Both teams continued to battle through the middle of the period before the final minutes of the match were filled with action.
With just under two minutes left in the game, Sofia Ljung scored for the home side, bringing the score level.
Immediately responding, Giampietro rushed into the zone, skating past a Mercyhurst defenseman at the blue line. Ripping a shot on net off the left pad of Ena Nystrom, the puck settled in front of the blue paint. Following all the way through, Primeau was right on the doorstep, smashing in the game-winning goal.
The Lakers won the draw at center ice and pulled their goalie. With the extra skater, Hatch made one more key save and RMU finished the game victorious, winning 3-2.
PRIMEAU POUNDS IN 2
Taking over in the third period, Primeau recorded her first two-goal game of the season. Earlier in the year against Saint Anselm (10/7), she posted a multi-point effort scoring one goal and one assist. On the year, the California native holds four goals and one assist in the campaign. With two goals today, she's officially reached 25 goals in her collegiate career.
GIAMPIETRO'S GOAL STREAK
Freshman
Alaina Giampietro continued her dominant stretch scoring a goal for the fourth straight game. Tabbed as Rookie of the Week in the previous series hosting Clarkson, she produced a goal in each outing. In her first conference series of the season, she collected two goals and two assists totaling four points. Today marked her third multi-point effort on the year and first career three-point game. Making an impact since the beginning of the relaunch, Giampietro has registered a point in every game but two. She's averaging over a point per game, pacing for six goals and six assists.
HAPPY DAY FOR HATCH
Sophomore netminder
Maggie Hatch performed one of her best starts in her young career. Helping RMU win their first conference game in 2023-24, Hatch posted personal best statistics against the Lakers. On the day, she made a career-best 41 saves. Her .911 save percentage in one game is also a career best.
QUOTABLE
"The resiliency of this team was on full display today. They came out today and gave a full 60-minute effort. That is something we've been working towards in the first 10 games and to their credit they gave everything they had for a full 60 today. We had contributions from every player in our lineup. Maggie was outstanding in net and our power play was very effective. Getting two hard earned points on the road in the CHA is something we're very proud of. We are excited to get back on home ice next weekend against Syracuse."
- Head Coach Logan Bittle
UP NEXT
Continuing their conference schedule, the Colonials will host Syracuse next weekend at Clearview Arena. The first game of the series will be played on Friday, November 3 at 7:00 p.m. and then the next day at 3:00 p.m.
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