NEVILLE TWP., PA– RIT defeated the Robert Morris Colonials 2-0 at the Island Sports Center on Friday in a very evenly matched up contest.
Outside of the result, the game was a continuation of an upward swing for the Colonials that began a week ago in St. Louis, as the Colonials took both games against the Lions and have raised their compete level in each game.
“That’s three games in a row now that we’ve played how have to play to win,” Logan Bittle said. “The battle, the effort, the compete was there. That’s how Robert Morris Hockey is always played.”
But about that result, that left more to be desired. Multiple opportunities were squandered by timely decision making, but as with anything that is a learning experience the club is ready to take on.
“We’re not happy with the result. That game was won by about three or four different plays that if we do something a little different, we don’t make a decision we make, it’s going another way.”
THE GAME
The Tigers started the contest with pressure on Maggie Hatch early, and Brac Kelley found a seam between the ice and Hatch’s pad at 4:27 of the first frame to open up the scoring. While the Colonials gained ground through the remainder of the period they were unable to capitalize.
The two teams ramped up the physicality in the second and Robert Morris found themselves in penalty trouble at as Calli Arnold and Jersey Phillips each found themselves in the box for tripping only two minutes into the contest. The Colonials were strong on the ensuing penalty kill, and RIT found themselves at a disadvantage as Kailey Favro tripped Catronia Crarer in front of the bench to make it a 4×3 turned to a Robert Morris power-play. A late hit by Addie Alvarez in front of the bench gave the Colonials a carry over power-play to end the stanza.
Robert Morris could not find the equalizer in the third, and a power play goal by Favro finished the scoring for the Tigers.
Sarah Coe finished the contest with 22 saves for her third shutout of the season, while Hatch finished with 33 saves.
UP NEXT
Robert Morris and RIT end their regular season series at the Island at 3:00pm on Saturday. The Colonials head to Erie to face Mercyhurst for their final road trip of the season next Friday, January 24 at 6:00pm and Saturday January 25 at 1:00pm.
