Schenectady, N.Y. – The RMU women's hockey team in their return to the ice for the 2023-24 campaign, fell to Union, 2-5. The Colonials start the season 0-1 and the Garnet Chargers pick up their first win, owning a 1-2 overall record after the night.
 
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Starting the season off on the road, the puck dropped at 6:00 p.m., Friday night, up north in Schenectady, N.Y.
 
Holding a spot on the roster this past year, sophomore goaltender Maggie Hatch earned the nod to start between the pipes for RMU.
 
Offensively, the Colonials looked in mid-season form, not allowing a shot across the first four minutes, and posted four shots of their own.
 
As both teams continued the period, the first RMU power-play came with seven minutes left in the opening period. Immediately, the skaters on the advantage started peppering chances on net. Through two minutes of Union a player down, RMU pounced five shots but didn't get one by the Garnet Chargers netminder.
 
Following their penalty kill, Union earned their first chance on the power play. During their two minutes, they ripped six shots and none ended up behind Hatch.
 
After the end of the first period, the game remained scoreless.
 
Moving on to the middle frame of the game, the special team units took on more playing time. Up until the media timeout was called halfway through the second period, RMU was on the power play twice and shorthanded once.
 
With about five minutes remaining in the period, the home side picked up their first goal of the night. Coming on the man-advantage, Maddie Suitor scored off a pass by Maddie Leaney and Iliana Smith.
 
Looking to head into the second intermission ahead, Union held a 1-0 lead as time winded down. Getting back into foul trouble, Allison Smith was called for interference with two minutes to go.
 
Just before the period ended, with 27 seconds left, freshman Janelle Evans scored the team's first goal of the season. Finishing off a rebound, Evans scored a historic goal in Colonials history, producing her first career goal in her collegiate opener. On the play, Morgan Giannone found Chloé Puddifant near the blue line, releasing a shot that was blocked. Evans put away the trash to tie up the game, 1-1, going into the final period.
 
Entering the last period, Union found their offensive game down the stretch. Four minutes in, Stephanie Bourque scored, followed by a goal from Allison Smith, a minute later.
 
Before the halfway point of the period, Riley Walsh scored at even strength, followed up by Kendal Davidson on the power play, as Union pulled ahead, 5-1.
 
As three minutes passed, the Colonials kept grinding as they did all night, peppering more shots on goal. Head coach Logan Bittle decided to pull the goalie, giving RMU an extra skater with seven minutes to go. The plan worked out perfectly as defenseman Chloé Puddifant scored moments later. Sniping a nice shot into the top-right corner, she was assisted by Alaina Giampietro and Morgan Giannone on the play.
 
In conclusion, RMU posted plenty of chances but just didn't get the bounces as they fell, 2-5 at Union in their season opener.
 
SCORING PLAYS
1^ST PERIOD: No Goals
2^ND PERIOD:

• 15:03 Union – Maddie Suitor (PP Goal), Assisted by: Maddie Leaney, Iliana Smith
• 19:33 RMU – Janelle Evans (PP Goal), Assisted by: Morgan Giannone, Chloé Puddifant

3^RD PERIOD:

• 4:17 Union – Stephanie Bourque, Assisted by: Kaitlyn Ehmann, Riley Walsh
• 5:14 Union – Allison Smith, Assisted by: Kendal Davidson, Riley Walsh
• 8:37 Union – Riley Walsh, Assisted by: Iliana Smith
• 10:50 Union – Kendal Davidson (PP Goal), Assisted by: Riley Walsh, Emma Fulawka
• 13:44 RMU – Chloé Puddifant, Assisted by: Alaina Giampietro, Morgan Giannone

FRESHMEN FIRSTS
For the Colonials, these freshmen suited up for their first career collegiate game: Alaina Giampietro, Janelle Evans, Catriona Crarer, Lindsey Smolen, Brynn Levinson, Laura Eustace, Thalia E'Elia and Kaitlyn Schooley. Giannone, starting on the second line at right wing, picked up two assists on the night and Evans celebrated her first career goal.
 
OFFENSIVE-DEFENSEMAN
Transferring to RMU from St. Lawrence University, graduate defenseman Chloé Puddifant came to the Colonials with six goals and 36 assists already in her career. Tonight, she recorded a two-point game, scoring one goal and one assist, being involved on both of the team's goals. Named an Alternate Captain by the coaching staff, Puddifant played the night paired with Captain Allyson Hebert.
 
UP NEXT
The Colonials return back to the Messa Rink at Achilles Center to finish off the series against Union, tomorrow, at 3:00 p.m.

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