NEVILLE TWP., Pa. — The Colonials fell behind to the Big Red in the second period for the second consecutive night, but came back to tie No. 7 Cornell 3-3 at Colonials Arena at the Robert Morris Island Sports Center on Saturday night.
Emily Curlett found the net twice on the power-play late in the third to forge the tie. The first came on a Devon Faccianto penalty at 10:27, with Paul Colontino opting to pull starter Lauren Bailey for an extra attacker. The gamble paid off as Curlett fired a shot seven seconds later over the shoulder of Marlene Boissoneau to bring the Colonials back within one. Jaycee Gebhard found the defender streaking towards the net just over five and-a-half minutes later to even things up and solidify at least a tie.
Robert Morris and Cornell opened the contest with a scoreless first, both teams exchanging opportunities and Bailey and Boissoneau keeping their squads in the game.
Cornell started their assault on the scoresheet at 12:51 of the second period when Kristin O’Neill was able to get a puck past Bailey. Amber Rennie responded rather quickly, as only :39 later the senior netted her sixth of the campaign. The Big Red bounced back and were able to take a two goal lead as O’Neill and Willow Slobodzian tallied markers late in the stanza.
Robert Morris began their push back as Curlett came alive after serving a slashing minor in the period.
Lauren Bailey started and stopped 24-of-27 shots for Robert Morris, and Boissoneau 17-of-20 for Cornell.
CARDIAC KIDS RIDE AGAIN
The Colonials continued struggles in the early portions of games and their ability to come back late is causing them to gain a reputation amongst their peers as a team with a bit of a comeback streak.
“I feel like our team is starting to get a name as a comeback underdog team,” Curlett explained. “I think when we had our back against the wall like this, our true colors show and our team is extremely hard working. I think wee didn’t want to go home with a loss.”
“I love the way our team plays when our backs are against the wall,” Colontino said. “What I hate is being with our backs against the wall 3-1. You can’t coach that. You can’t coach that pride, that mentality.”
UP NEXT
Conference play returns to the Island Sports Center as Penn State invades the Island for a twin-bill with the Colonials. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. on Friday and 5:05 p.m. on Saturday.
