MOON TOWNSHIP, Pa. – The RMU women's hockey team showcased its offensive depth in the 2025-26 home opener, erupting for six goals from six different scorers en route to a 6-2 victory over Assumption at Clearview Arena. The win gives the Colonials a 1-0 start to the season.
 
FIRST PERIOD
The opening 20 minutes saw both sides searching for momentum, with RMU generating the majority of quality looks.
 
Junior forward Laura Eustace nearly opened the scoring midway through the period, ringing a shot off the pipe.
 
While the frame ended scoreless, the Colonials dictated play with an 11-5 advantage in shots on goal.
 
SECOND PERIOD
The offensive floodgates opened in the middle frame as RMU struck four times to take command.
 
The breakthrough came on the power play when alternate captain Catriona Crarer redirected a point shot from Shayne Desjardins, putting home the first goal of the season for the Colonials.
 
Minutes later, during 4-on-4 play, captain Alaina Giampietro announced her return in dramatic fashion. Playing her first game since November 2024, Giampietro scored on the backhand with assists from Linnea Misner and Jessica MacKinnon, doubling the lead.
 
With just over two minutes left in the period, RMU continued to roll. MacKinnon, making her Colonial debut, broke free on a feed from Morgan Giannone and buried a shot under the bar to extend the margin to 3-0.
 
The crowd had barely settled before the Colonials struck again. Off a neutral-zone turnover, Misner found Lindsey Smolen, who beat a defender wide and deked the goaltender, sending RMU into the intermission ahead 4-0.
 
THIRD PERIOD
Assumption clawed back early in the third, scoring twice—including once on the power play—to cut the deficit in half. But RMU had an answer.
 
Just 90 seconds after the Greyhounds' second goal, Giannone restored the cushion with a pinpoint wrist shot, assisted by Taylor Storey, who forced the turnover.
 
Before the game ended, Misner blasted home her first career goal from the blue line, with Rowyn Ringor and MacKinnon providing the helpers to finish off the 6-2 win.
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• RMU outshot Assumption, 36-31, including an 18-shot barrage in the second period.
• The Colonials' defense blocked 28 shots, led by Desjardins and Misner with four apiece.
• Faceoffs were a major edge for RMU, winning 63.6% of draws. MacKinnon went 15-for-24 in the circle, while redshirt junior Calli Arnold dominated at 7-for-9.
• Special teams played a role, with RMU going 1-for-3 on the power play and killing off 3-of-4 penalties, including a five-minute major.
• In net, alternate captain Maggie Hatch made 29 saves to backstop the win.

 
COLONIAL FIRSTS
Several new faces made immediate impacts. Freshmen Mary Snyder, Alexis Vrana, and Linnea Misner each made their collegiate debuts. Transfers MacKinnon, Ringor, and Storey suited up for the first time in RMU colors. Ringor tallied her first assist as a Colonial, while Storey recorded her first career point.
 
MULTI-POINT EFFORTS
Desjardins (2 assists) earned the first multipoint game of her career. She ranked second on the team in blocked shots last year with 91. MacKinnon (1G, 2A) impressed in her debut with her first-ever multipoint outing, including the game-winner. Giannone (1G, 2A), last season's team leader in goals and points, picked up her 11th career multipoint effort. Misner (1G, 2A), in her debut, paced all defensemen with three points, three shots, and four blocks.
 
THE CAPTAIN RETURNS
Giampietro's second-period tally highlighted her return after nearly a year away. The captain now has 23 goals, 17 assists, and 40 career points through 47 games for RMU.
 
QUOTABLE – HEAD COACH LOGAN BITTLE
"After the first period we told the team to stay patient and stick to our game. Once that first one went in, you could feel the weight lift and the confidence come through. The four-goal second period came because we played the right way."
 
"It was great to see contributions up and down our lineup tonight. Our depth showed, and our power play has a lot of potential this year. Defensively, we need to be stronger around our crease, but for the first game, it was a good result. We'll regroup and be ready to go again tomorrow."
 
UP NEXT
RMU and Assumption conclude their two-game series on Saturday, September 27, with puck drop set for 3:00 PM at Clearview Arena. The contest will stream live on FloHockey.
 
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