ROCHESTER, NY – History will be made this weekend, as the RIT women’s hockey team plays its first two regular season games at the Gene Polisseni Center on Friday, Oct. 3 and Saturday, Oct. 4against Union College. Friday’s game begins at 7 p.m., while Saturday’s contest starts at 3 p.m.
RIT opened its season with a 3-2 loss to Pursuit of Excellence in an exhibition game that christened the 4,300-seat Gene Polisseni Center on Monday evening. Jess Paton (Woodstock, Ontario/Waterloo K-W Rangers) and Carly Payerl (Kitchener, Ontario/Resurrection Catholic) had a goal and an assist apiece, while Celeste Brown (Great Falls, MT/National Sports Academy) added two helpers.
Friday, RIT students sitting in the student section only receive free food and a soft drink. On Saturday, all fans can get $1 hot dogs until opening faceoff.
The Tigers finished last season by winning their final seven games en route to a 20-15-3 record and the College Hockey America Championship. Sixteen players return from last season’s team, including leading point-getter Marissa Maugeri (Ajax, Ontario/Durham West Lightning) and leading goal scorer, Kolbee McCrea (Wawa, Ontario/Burlington Barracudas). Senior captains Celeste Brown (Great Falls, MT/National Sports Academy) and Lindsay Grigg (Oakville, Ontario/Oakville Hornets) return for the final season, while fellow senior Morgan Scoyne (Drumbo, Ontario/Stoney Creek Sabres) and sophomore Taylor Thurston (Kanata, Ontario/All Saints Catholic) will serve as assistant captains. In goal, senior Ali Binnington (Oakville, Ontario/Mississauga Chiefs), the 2014 CHA Regular Season Goaltender of the Year and CHA Tournament Most Valuable Player returns for her final season.
Union also opens its regular season this weekend. On Saturday, the Dutchwomen tied the Ottawa Jr. Senators by a score of 2-2. Last season, Union finished 9-24-1. Christine Valente is Union’s returning leading scorer, having posted 19 points on five goals and 14 assists, while Kathryn Tomaselli scored 11 goals. The Dutchwomen were outscored by their opponents, 98-52. In net, Shenae Lundberg is back after recording nine wins with a 2.73 goals against average and .908 save percentage.
RIT leads the all-time series between the two schools, 7-3-1. The two teams were rivals in the ECAC East conference in the early 2000’s. Last season, RIT went on the road to Union, going 0-1-1, falling by a score of 2-1 and skating to a 1-1 draw. In the opener, Tomaselli scored 3:51 into overtime. The next day, Marissa Maugeri (Ajax, Ontario/Durham West Lightning) scored midway through the third period to tie the game for RIT. Madeline Dahl made 48 saves in goal for Union.
Tickets for both games are $5 for adults, $4 for RIT staff, faculty, and alumni, and $3 for youth. RIT students receive free admission (one ticket limit per valid RIT ID). Tickets are available at the Gene Polisseni Center and Gordon Field House Box Offices, by calling (585) 475-4121 or by visitingwww.rithockey.com.
Both contests will be broadcast online at witr.rit.edu and on America One. Live stats are also available for both contests.
Come out and support your Tigers in their first season at the Gene Polisseni Center, as they look to defend their College Hockey America title.
