The Robert Morris University women’s hockey team was back in action Friday afternoon for the first time since December 10, as they took on the Bemidji State Beavers at the Consol Energy Center.
Sixteen minutes into the game Colonials defenseman, Brandi Pollock, was called for a tripping penalty and the Beavers were able to capitalize. Natasha Kostenko was able to beat junior goaltender, Kristen DiCiocco, less than a minute into the power play to give the Beavers a 1-0 lead.
Just 30 seconds after the goal Paige Pietrangelo took a hooking penalty, and less than a minute later Kathryn Stack joined her in the box following a checking penalty.
Seconds before Pietrangelo’s penalty was about to expire, Whitney Wivoda beat DiCiocco to put the Beavers up 2-0 going into the first intermission.
Coming out of the break, the Colonials were able to fight back, and seven minutes into the period they cut the Beavers lead to one.
Sophomore defenseman Anneline Lauziere fired a shot from the point past the Bemidji net minder for her first goal of the season, with the assists going to Cobina Delaney and Becca Vint.
Less than two minutes later Vint was able to tally her 15th goal of the season to tie the game at two.
“I had to wait for the goalie to come over, and it was kind of hard to decide what I was going to do because it was last minute,” recalled Vint. “It didn’t really go how I wanted to because I was trying to get it up high but it still managed to make its way underneath her.”
Neither team was able to break the tie for the remainder of the second period and half of the third. 11 minutes into the final period, the Beavers were able to tally their first even strength goal of the night off a goal from Kimberly Lieder.
Unfortunately for the Colonials, they were unable to fight back, and they took the loss at this years College Hockey Showcase.
Despite the loss, DiCiocco turned away 36 Bemidji shots, which she attributed to her defense.
“The girls did a great job keeping them outside but there were a lot of deflections and you just have to try stay big and hope one hits you,” she said.
Head Coach, Paul Colontino, thought his team gave a good effort, despite a shaky first period.
“Whether it was a slow start, getting our legs below us or getting comfortable we need to find ways to make that adjustment a little bit quicker,” he said. “It was a rough first period and I think as the game went on we did a better job of playing our style and trying to do what we need to do to do well.”
Colontino also believes that the loss will help the team down the road.
“Playing those types of opponents that are tough, strong, and work hard helps you grow because you realize ‘I have more in me than I thought I had,’” he said. “When you get pushed like that I think it’s just a great learning experience for our team as a whole and the players individually.”
The Colonials will have a chance to upset the Beavers tomorrow, as they finish the series at the Island Sports Center with a 5:15 p.m. matchup.
