NEVILLE TWP., Pa. — An offensive outburst by the underclass-women led Robert Morris past Union 5-0 on Saturday afternoon at the Island Sports Center, sweeping the Dutchwomen.
Sophomore Michaela Boyle opened the scoring at 8:16 of the first on a feed from Jaycee Gebhard. She followed up the effort in the second with her second power-play goal of the contest, firing a shot from the circle past Bella McKee.
Emily Curlett chipped in the third goal of the game, standing along the crease and knocking a Sarah Lecavalier shot out of mid-air into the net. Mackenzie Krasowski turned a breakaway into the fifth Robert Morris goal, taking McKee inside and out before going upstairs on the first-year net-minder.
This time, it was the underclass’ turn to show their offensive upside, as all five goals were scored by either sophomores or juniors. To add to the equation, it was fellow second-year Arielle DeSmet converting the second shutout of her career on 21 saves. It was her second consecutive regular season goose-egg after a 25-save effort against Syracuse on Mar 1.
CLEAN SLATE
DeSmet collected her fifth career victory in eleven tries after a stretch-run for the Colonials where she elevated her game to a starting bid in both games of the conference postseason. Union had several opportunities to register a goal stolen away by acrobatic moves and stellar defensive play in front.
THE KIDS ARE ALRIGHT
A year ago it wasn’t until the second-half of the season that the then first-years were able to find the net. After an evening where the veterans were able to shine, that class made their mark, as sophomores accounted for four goals, including Krasowski’s second highlight-reel goal in as many games. The forward accepted an outlet pass and skated in all alone, moving laterally across the crease before roofing a shot over the glove of McKee.
Boyle’s two goals mirrored those of Gebhard last evening, from in front of the net and with the net-minder moving laterally. Marino fired a puck after a strong, looping forecheck and in celebration jumped for the student’s easy button sign in the corner.
WHO’S NEXT?
Well it doesn’t get easier as the toughest stretch of the season for the Colonials approaches with No. 2 Minnesota Golden Gophers, No. 3 Clarkson Golden Knights and the No. 5 Cornell Red Raiders up next.
Minnesota starts the gauntlet by invading the Island Sports Center on Oct 11-12, with Fridays games starting at 3 p.m. and is part of a double-header with the Robert Morris men’s program.
