Senior night is always a special occasion, no matter the sport. The Robert Morris women’s hockey team made sure that tonight’s contest was one of the more entertaining regular season sendoffs in program history.
The Colonials skated to a 4-4 tie with Mercyhurst on Saturday night at the Clearview Arena, with seniors Paige Pietrangelo, Kathryn Stack and Brianna Delaney skating in their final regular season contest donning an RMU sweater.
“To have a senior night like that is a great feeling,” said head coach Paul Colontino. “We had great leadership from our captains and our seniors tonight and I really think they inspired everyone to just keep pushing.”
The push was necessary against the Lakers, as the Colonials came back twice to tie the game, once at three, and then in the final stanza to knot things at four apiece.
Kelley Steadman got things started for Mercyhurst, potting two goals in the first 10 minutes of the opening frame past goaltender Kristen DiCiocco. Rebecca Vint put home her 21st of the season on the powerplay with six minutes left in the first period, to cut the Laker lead to one heading into the intermission.
DiCiocco was pulled in favor of her goaltending partner Courtney Vinet for the second, as the RMU starter apparently wasn’t feeling well with a bug. The freshman did not disappoint in relief, making 23 saves throughout the remainder of the contest.
Mercyhurst restored their two goal lead with less than five minutes to go in the second, thanks to a tally from Jill Szandzik. The Colonials stormed back before the period was out, as Thea Imbrogno and Cobina Delaney scored less than a minute apart from each other to tie the game at three.
Bailey Bram put the Lakers ahead less than five minutes into the third, off a controversial goal. Vinet made the save on Bram’s partial breakaway, but referee Gui Bradshaw ruled that Vinet was over the goal line with the puck, resulting in a 4-3 lead for the Lakers.
The Colonials once again rallied back, as Dayna Newsom recorded her fourth of the campaign with less than four minutes in regulation time. The junior forward swung in behind the net, emerged back around in front, and slid the puck under the pads of Hillary Pattenden for what would be the game’s final marker.
Brianna Delaney was the only senior to register a point on the evening, an assist on Vint’s powerplay goal.
The Colonials capped off their most successful season in program history, finishing with a 17-9-4 overall record. RMU will now rest until the CHA Tournament commences in two weeks, which will take place on home ice.
