The Robert Morris women continued their 10-game, season-opening road trip on Friday night with a 2-1 victory over the University of Maine.
Senior Elijah Milne-Price got the start and win for the No. 10 Colonials, her second of the season and third of her career. In each of her three career starts, the goaltender from Mississauga, Ontario has only given up a single goal.
For the past two years, she spent time watching the tandem of Jessica Dodds and Lauren Bailey excel in net, all while working hard in practice and biding her time. Her efforts did not go unnoticed by her teammates.
“She deserves it,” captain Amanda Pantaleo said. “She had a tough go of having two good goaltenders in front of her. She never gave up and worked hard for the last three years. We all know she deserves it. We work extra hard when she plays because she deserves (to start) and we believe in her.”
Head coach Paul Colontino appreciated the ability to have two quality goaltenders for another year in Bailey and Milne-Price.
“They’re both playing well.” Colontino said. “It’s certainly a luxury to have two goaltenders that we feel 100 percent confidence in giving us a chance to win the game. Both of our goalies have been doing that. The team is confident that they could do their thing on the ice and the goaltenders can do their thing in the pipes. Having two goalies going is an awesome thing.”
The Colonials and Black Bears were scoreless after two until Maggie LaGue fed a wide-open Amanda Pantaleo for her first of the season just 1:11 into the third. Brittany Howard then lifted the puck over Maine goaltender Carly Jackson at 10:50 of the final period.
Two minutes later, Maine added a goal from Catherine Tufts on a reviewed play in front of the Colonials net.
THE ROAD AHEAD:
The Colonials (3-0-0) will finish the two-game set with the Black Bears on Saturday afternoon, where Lauren Bailey is projected to start the 1 p.m. contest. The team will travel to Providence next weekend.
