MOON TOWNSHIP, Pa. – The RMU women's hockey team welcomes Syracuse to Clearview Arena this weekend for a two-game series. The Colonials and Orange will meet Friday, October 16, at 7:00 PM before closing out the series Saturday, October 17, at 3:00 PM.
 
Both games will stream live on FloHockey. Gero von Dehn will handle play-by-play duties for both contests, with Ryan Tarabokia providing color commentary on Friday and Nate Breisinger joining the broadcast Saturday.
 
RMU LATELY
RMU (3-3, 0-2 AHA) enters the weekend after earning its first series sweep of the season, defeating RPI by scores of 2-1 and 4-2. The Colonials' top line led the offensive effort, with Greta Brezenski and Jessica MacKinnon each recording two goals and three assists over the weekend. Captain Alaina Giampietro added two goals and two assists, while defensemen Kaitlyn Schooley and Shayne Desjardins each contributed an assist.
 
In goal, Maggie Hatch earned both victories, making 30 saves across the two contests while posting a .909 save percentage. Hatch also surpassed 2,500 career saves during the series, becoming just the third goaltender in program history to reach the milestone.
 
ALL-TIME VS. SYRACUSE
RMU and Syracuse have met 69 times since 2008, with the Colonials holding a 29-30-10 record against the Orange. RMU averages 2.13 goals per game in the all-time series and has recorded 10 shutouts against Syracuse.
 
Last season, the Colonials posted a 1-2-1 record against the Orange. In their 1-0 victory, Thalia D'Elia scored following a faceoff win by Catriona Crarer, while Hatch turned aside 36 shots to secure the shutout.
 
The teams also played to a 2-2 tie, with RMU earning the extra point in the standings through a shootout victory. Alexis Vrana scored her first career goal, while Giampietro added the Colonials' other goal. Crarer, D'Elia, Laura Eustace and MacKinnon each recorded an assist, and Giampietro scored the lone goal in the shootout.
 
SCOUTING THE ORANGE
Syracuse (4-2, 2-2 AHA) heads to Pittsburgh following a series split against No. 4 Penn State and (RV) Mercyhurst. The Orange earned a 5-4 overtime victory over the nationally ranked Nittany Lions, helping them receive votes in national polls early this week.
 
Emma Gnade, a sophomore forward, is averaging more than a point per game through six contests, recording one goal and six assists. Senior forward Jackson Kinsler leads Syracuse with five goals, while junior forward Rylee McLeod owns a team-best plus-minus rating of +6. On the blue line, Jessica Cheung and Rachel Walsh have each recorded 12 blocked shots. Sophomore goaltender Ava Drabyk has started all six games for the Orange, compiling four victories, one shutout and a .915 save percentage.
 
Last season, Syracuse finished with a 15-18-4 overall record and a 10-11-3 mark in Atlantic Hockey America play. The Orange defeated RIT in the conference quarterfinals before falling to Penn State in a two-game semifinal sweep.
 
COMMON OPPONENTS
RPI is a common opponent for both programs outside of conference play this season. RMU most recently faced the Engineers, earning a two-game sweep with victories of 2-1 and 4-2. Syracuse is also scheduled to face RPI during the 2026-27 campaign.
 
SKATE WITH THE COLONIALS
Friday night's game will also feature RMU's annual Skate with the Colonials event. Following the game, fans are invited to join the women's hockey team on the ice for a 30-minute skate. Free skate rentals will be available at Clearview Arena. Fans are also welcome to bring their own skates.
 
UP NEXT
RMU will travel to Boston, Mass., for the Ice Breaker Tournament, hosted by Boston University. The Colonials will face Minnesota State on Friday, October 23, at 4:00 PM before taking on either Yale or Boston University on Saturday, October 24 at 2:00 or 5:00 PM.

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