PITTSBURGH, Pa. – Sophomore goaltender Lovisa Selander made 37 saves to help the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) women’s hockey team to a 1-1 tie with Robert Morris University on Saturday afternoon at 84 Lumber Arena.
Sophomore defenseman Kirsten Welsh scored for Robert Morris, with help from junior defenseman Leah Carey and freshman forward Aneta Ledlova, who recorded their first assists of the year. Senior goaltender Jessica Dodds made 26 saves.
Following a scoreless third period for Robert Morris (3-0-1) and RPI (1-4-1), the Colonials and Engineers headed into overtime. An interference call against the Colonials put Robert Morris on the penalty kill for the final two minutes of the extra period. RMU successfully killed off the penalty, but was unable to make a final offensive push and ended the game knotted with the Engineers.
Welsh put the Colonials on the board with her first goal of the season at 2:31 in the second period. Carey passed the puck across the blue line and it landed right on Welsh’s stick, which set her up for the Robert Morris had many high-quality chances in front of the net following the goal, and edged the Engineers in shots, 21-6, but struggled to convert through the remainder of the frame.
Robert Morris fell behind early after RPI cashed in on a five-on-three opportunity. Freshman Sabrina Repaci scored her second goal of the season with assists to junior Shayna Tomlinson and senior Hannah Behounek.
For the first time in four games, Robert Morris did not score on the power play (0 for 5), while RPI went 1 for 4. RMU edged RPI in shots, 38-27, including 21-6 in the second period.
The Colonials return to 84 Lumber Arena next weekend to host Vermont on Friday (7pm) and Saturday (3pm). Rensselaer hosts UConn next Friday (6pm) and Saturday (3pm).
