NEVILLE TOWNSHIP– After a dominant series against the Miami (OH) Redhawks the Robert Morris Men’s Hockey team took on the Niagara Purple Eagles at home. The Colonials have started the season 2-0 and they look to keep their winning ways.

The first period was a back and forth as both teams were battling for possession of the puck. The Colonials had a few great chances to put one on net. Niagara ended up being the first team to score as they beat Kochendorfer. The Colonials had another great chance to score but the puck hit right off the post.

The Colonials went into the second period trailing by one goal. They were putting the puck on the net but couldn’t hit one home.

Early on in the second period the Colonials Redshirt Senior Gavin Gulash earned a slashing penalty which lead to another Purple Eagles goal. As the second period went on the Colonials kept on keeping pressure on the net but the Niagara goaltender made a series of stellar saves. The Purple Eagles went on to score another goal to extend their lead over the Colonials.

The Colonials did cut the Purple Eagle lead to two with a power play goal from Mitch Deelstra. Quickly after the Colonials Scored Niagara scored to increase their lead once again. The Colonials ended up pulling Freshman Goaltender Croix Kochendorfer for Dawson Smith.

Towards the end of the second period, tensions started to flare. It started getting chippy multiple times. George Krotiris sent Niagara on a Powerplay because of a penalty. This led to another Powerplay goal for Niagara.

The third period started off well for the Colonials as they scored an early goal. Cody Monds got the goal to help cut the deficit down. The Colonials kept trying to get on the board but they just couldn’t finish.

Michael Felsing scored which put the Colonials down by two late in the third period. The Colonials looked to have a few more chances but Niagara scored another goal which put Niagara up by three. Niagara followed up with another goal which proved to be the dagger.

The Colonials got their first loss of the season 7-3. The game seemed like it was rather even on paper but on the ice it was a different result.

“They executed their gameplans and their systems and we didn’t react,” head coach Derek Schooley said. “We’re still young we have 16 freshmen and sophomores in the lineup. Anytime you have 16 freshmen and sophomores in the lineup you’re gonna go through growing pains from the top down.”

The Colonials’ young squad has maturing to do as they are still trying to find their groove.

The Colonials will be heading north to Niagara University to play the second game of the series, at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Oct.25.