NEVILLE TWP., Pa. — Robert Morris and No. 10 Colgate concluded a two-game set at the Island Sports Center on Saturday with a goaltenders dual ending in a 2-2 tie.
The Colonials came out flying in the first period, maintaining pressure through the first half and attempting 26 shots, but were unable to capitalize. Colgate, however, opened up the scoring as Malia Schneider fooled Arielle DeSmet on a low-speed shot that trickled past the first-year at 12:26.
Natalie Marcuzzi gave the Colonials their first goal of the game at 2:18 of the second after an individual effort by Caitlyn Sadowy to break up a play along the boards allowed Kirsten Welsh the opportunity to get the puck to the junior for her third goal of the season.
The Raiders took the lead back early in the third as Delani McKay fed her sister Eleri in front, stuffing a puck behind DeSmet. After a short period of giving up multiple opportunities to the Raiders, the Colonials began to mount pressure on Vandyk and the senior ceded a goal to Maggie LaGue. The Colonials co-captain fired a shot from the point that bounced off the net minder and in to the back of the cage.
Both teams exchanged opportunities along the way. Colgate had a close call when a shot was fired off of the cross bar was reviewed, Robert Morris peppered Vandyk, but neither goaltender flinched, and the game ended in a 2-2 tie.
YOU SAY ITS URGENT
The Colonials carried over the same sense of urgency that led them to an almost improbable come-from-behind victory on Friday evening, as the team came out flying in the first, firing shot after shot on Vandyk, but the Raiders stepped up and blocked 24 of the 77 attempts by the Colonials.
The already shorthanded defense for the Colonials stepped up, as the four defenders made play after play to keep the pressure on Vandyk. In the end Robert Morris blocked 15 of the 61 shots that they faced.
Vandyk stopped 28-of-30 shots while DeSmet denied 27-of-29 during the course of the contest.
NEXT
Robert Morris moves on to face Minnesota State next weekend at the Island, face-off is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. on Friday and 1:00 p.m. on Saturday.
