ROCHESTER, N.Y. – RMU's top line exploded for four goals as the Colonials powered past RIT, 5-1, in Friday's Atlantic Hockey America (AHA) series opener at the Gene Polisseni Center. With the win, RMU moves to 7-11-1 overall and an even 5-5-1 in conference play.
FIRST PERIOD
RMU set the tone immediately, generating sustained pressure and earning a power play just five minutes into the game. The Colonials capitalized late in the advantage, as
Alaina Giampietro fired the initial shot, followed her own rebound, and buried it for the game's opening tally.
Mya Kearns and
Linnea Misner assisted on the sequence to give RMU the early momentum.
The Colonials continued to buzz offensively, nearly doubling the lead when
Rowyn Ringor rang a shot off the post.
RMU finally broke through again in the final minute of the frame after an extended review confirmed
Morgan Giannone's rebound finish. Linemates Giampietro and
Jessica MacKinnon picked up assists as the Colonials took a 2-0 lead into intermission.
SECOND PERIOD
RMU extended the advantage quickly, as the top line completed its scoring trifecta. MacKinnon jumped on a loose puck following
Thalia D'Elia's keep-in at the blue line, walking in and scoring to make it 3-0.
Midway through the period, Giampietro added her second of the day—sniping a shot just one second after a power play expired—off a feed from Misner.
RMU outshot the Tigers 15-11 in the second and carried a commanding 4-0 lead into the third.
THIRD PERIOD
RMU drew multiple power-play opportunities, including a lengthy 5-on-3, but could not convert. RIT broke through at the midway point of the period when captain Emma Pickering scored on the advantage.
The Colonials continued generating chances, highlighted by
Calli Arnold hitting the post and
Laura Eustace having a goal waved off after video review.
RMU eventually added insurance in the closing minutes thanks to Misner, who won a faceoff and drove straight into the slot to bury her second career goal and seal a 5-1 victory.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- RMU outshot RIT in every period and held a 41-29 advantage overall. Giampietro led all skaters with eight shots on goal.
- The top line of Giannone–MacKinnon–Giampietro, along with Misner, recorded a team-best +3 rating.
- RMU dominated the faceoff circle, winning 34 of 53 draws (64.2%). NCAA faceoff leader MacKinnon went 16-for-22 (72.7%).
- Defensively, the Colonials blocked 19 shots, with Misner and Shayne Desjardins leading the way with three apiece.
- Both teams scored once on the power play—RMU finished 1-for-7, while RIT went 1-for-3.
COLONIAL FIRST
Freshman
Mary Snyder earned her first career point with an assist on Misner's third-period goal. The Toledo, Ohio native has now appeared in 17 games and contributed across the lineup with 57 faceoff wins and 10 blocked shots.
CLOSING IN
Goaltender
Maggie Hatch picked up her fifth win of the season and the 21st of her career, stopping 28 shots. With her performance, she now sits at 1,979 career saves, nearing the 2,000-save milestone.
MULTIPOINT EFFORTS
- Giampietro recorded her 30th and 31st career goals as part of a three-point night. She now has nine goals, four assists and 13 points this season and 31-21–52 in her career, surpassing the 50-point mark. Today marked her sixth career two-goal game, with half of those coming against RIT. And this was her 13th multipoint performance.
- Misner matched her career high with three points (1g, 2a) and extended her point streak to three games. She now has 11 (2g,9a) points on the season.
- MacKinnon added another goal and assist, extending her point streak to four games. She now sits at 9-10–19 on the year and recorded her sixth career multipoint outing.
UP NEXT
RMU will look to complete the road sweep tomorrow. The series finale is set for Saturday, November 29 at 2:00 PM, again from the Gene Polisseni Center.
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