Moon Township, Pa. - The RMU women's hockey team came back to beat RIT, 3-2 to split the series. After the two-game set, the Colonials are now 7-7-0 overall and 4-2-0 in conference games. The Tigers are now 7-6-2 on the year and 3-3-0 in the CHA.
 
Just as it happened yesterday, the first period ended with no score from either side. RIT held the advantage in shots on goal, 7-6.
 
Only one power play occurred in the first period as the Tigers were given a chance with an extra skater. 
 
The Colonials killed it off flawlessly as they didn't allow a single shot on goal and actually gathered three shots on goal shorthanded. Forward Jersey Phillips paced for two shots on the penalty kill and Alaina Giampietro posted one as well.
 
Entering the second period, winger Shailynn Snow took her second penalty of the game but made up for it by scoring a minute after leaving the penalty box.
 
At her own blue line, Snow stole the puck off a RIT defenseman and took the puck all the way to goal to slide one through the five hole of the Tigers netminder, giving RMU their first lead of the series.
 
Statistically, over the next five minutes, Maggie Hatch between the pipes made three saves and Catriona Crarer won three consecutive faceoffs.
 
Gaining back possession, Nicole Ness produced RIT's first goal of the game to tie it up, 1-1.
 
Heading into the final frame, the Tigers jumped out to a 2-1 lead as Addie Alvarez shot in her second goal of the series.
 
After giving up a goal, the Colonials killed off another penalty as Hatch made two more crucial saves. RMU then responded with a nice goal.
 
On the counterattack, Kaitlyn Schooley handed the puck over to forward Catriona Crarer. Entering the offensive zone, she found Lindsey Smolen down the right side. At a tough angle, Smolen sniped one off the crossbar and in to tie it up.
 
Continuing through the last period, RMU kept up the pressure and really started to gain momentum. Upon scoring the tying goal, the Colonials peppered seven more shots on goal across the next seven minutes.
 
With five minutes remaining, the Tigers headed back out on the special team's unit, looking to cash in before overtime.
 
Not only did the Colonials kill it off, but Jersey Phillips sniped in the game winning goal. Her line mate, sophomore Janelle Evans, found Phillips on the right wall, identical to Smolen's score. Skating near goal with speed, the graduate forward picked her corner, ringing it off the bar and in to win the game.
 
"I had a view coming down the right wing," said Phillips. "Yesterday I went shortside twice so tonight I shot it at the far side and it worked out. It was an awesome feeling."
 
As RIT pulled their goalie for the last 90 seconds, RMU battled till the end to secure a series split.
 
COLONIAL COMEBACKS
Three times now in the 2023-24 campaign, RMU has lost the first game of a series but has turned around and won the second. The first occasion was in the season opening series at Union, earning a 3-2 result on the second day. At Mercyhurst for their first two-game set in CHA play, the Colonials came back with a 3-2 victory in Erie, Pa. And, today, RMU clawed away to take down RIT on the second leg of the series, winning 3-2 on home ice. During all three victories, the Colonials were down by at least one goal at one point during the match, and all three wins ended with a 3-2 result.
 
HARD TO BEAT HATCH
Showing success in her first year of collegiate hockey, Maggie Hatch now owns five, 30+ save performances in the 2023-24 season. Owning a 4-3-0 record, she's made 234 saves this year now. From Cleveland Heights, Ohio, Hatch was named the Goaltender of the Month by the CHA for the month of October.
 
JERSEY THE JACK OF ALL TRADES
Playing as the second line center, Jersey Phillips picked her spot tonight, producing her first career game winning goal. On the year, she's now posted two goals and two assists. Her snipe tonight was RMU's second shorthanded goal on the year. Moving to center, Phillips holds 61 faceoff wins and has been a vital part of the penalty killing unit. In 87 career games, she owns three goals and 10 assists.
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
On the day, captain Wasyn Rice and forward Calli Arnold blocked a team high three shots. RMU won 60.3% of faceoffs. Freshman center Catriona Crarer won the most draws out of all skaters, winning 16 of 24. Jersey Phillips helped the team keep possession, winning 12 of 22 and Calli Arnold went 7-for-13. Phillips paced for six shots and forward Mya Neugent led all skaters in +/- with a +2.
 
QUOTABLE
"It would have been easy to get down on ourselves after last night. We were behind by one in the third period but I give the girls credit, they didn't give up. We're a resilient bunch. They came out today and got two points against a very good team." - Head Coach Logan Bittle
 
"We've found ways to get it done in the third period. They've done that time after time in the last handful of games." - Head Coach Logan Bittle
 
"Calli Arnold was great this weekend. We give her a lot of credit. Also, Lindsey Smolen is rolling now with two big goals from our previous series and now this weekend. Players are stepping up and we'll need that again and again. It's a team game and we're finding ways to win with a lot of different people." - Head Coach Logan Bittle
 
UP NEXT
RMU next weekend will be traveling down south to Nashville, Tenn. for the Smashville Showcase. The first game will be played against Boston University on Friday, November 24 at 4:00 p.m. The following day, the Colonials will then battle Mankato also at 4:00 p.m.

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