Colonials shine in 8-0 senior day victory over Sacred Heart

Michaela Boyle celebrates one of her four goals on Sunday as the Colonials dismantled Sacred Heart 8-0. Photo Credit: Nathan Breisinger

Nathan Breisinger

EDITOR’S NOTE – 2/22/21 10:24 A.M.- Emilie Harley’s opening goal has been changed to Anjelica Diffendal.

NEVILLE, Pa.– For the Robert Morris women’s hockey team, it was a picture-perfect afternoon to celebrate senior day as all five seniors contributed to an 8-0 victory over Sacred Heart.

All four Robert Morris (13-5-1, 11-5-1 CHA) senior skaters, Emily Curlett, Emilie Harley, Lexi Templeman, and Anjelica Diffendal, registered a point, while senior goaltender Molly Singewald stopped 21 shots for her second consecutive shutout in as many days over Sacred Heart (1-7-1, 1-2 NEWHA), becoming the first Colonials goalie to have a shutout in each of her first two starts.

Over the course of the weekend, Singewald stonewalled the Pioneers. She saw 21 shots, stopping them all during the game two victory with none bigger than a breakaway stop against Anna Klein in the second frame. Not only did Singewald make save after save, but the Robert Morris defense stood tall in front of her with several timely blocks, including a pair from senior Emily Curlett.

It was the type of start the Colonials imagined on a senior day as just 27 seconds in, as a shot by senior Emilie Harley was deflected by Anjelica Diffendal to put Robert Morris on the board. Following a botched clear attempt by Pioneers’ defender Paige McNeil, Harley corralled it and fired it, where Diffendal was able to deflect it home to make it 1-0.

Trending in the same direction as game one, Robert Morris pushed the pace as they totaled 26 shots on goal in the opening 20 minutes. This game was different, however, as the Colonials began to figure out Sacred Heart goaltender Frankie Sanchez, who made 72 saves while only allowing one goal the night before.

On the power play, Robert Morris would break the game open with Curlett providing a pump-fake slap shot then sliding it over to Maggy Burbidge who found the back of the cage.

Although the Colonials were recognizing their seniors, junior Michaela Boyle had herself a day as well, notching four goals. Boyle jumped on the board after sweeping in a goal from her knees to make it 3-0 in the first period.

The Colonials did not step off of the gas in the second period as Ellie Marcovsky extended the lead to four goals before Boyle scored once again. Boyle made things look easy with her second goal after maneuvering around a Pioneers’ defender then placing it top-shelf past Sanchez.

With the scoreboard transitioning to the third period, Boyle and the Colonials continued their offensive onslaught. Joelle Fiala added to the lead with a redirection that found its way in.

Capping off the afternoon, Boyle built on to the barrage. On the power play, Boyle pushed home a rebound to give her the hat trick. She would not be denied a fourth time either as she unloaded a slap shot from the slot on an unsuspecting Sanchez after receiving a pass from below the goal line.

Boyle’s four-goal effort is the first of its kind since Brittany Howard did it in November of 2013.

After a complete effort from the Colonials on senior day, Robert Morris extended their win streak to four games.

Next up, the Colonials will wrap up their regular season next weekend with a two-game set against Syracuse at Clearview Arena. Puck drop on Friday is slated for 7:05 p.m. with game two commencing at 2:05 p.m. on Saturday.