Women’s hockey to play pair of games against Lindenwood; Tigers to hold “Skate for the Cure” fundraiser on Saturday
ROCHESTER, NY – The RIT women’s hockey team returns home for a pair of games this weekend, as College Hockey America rival Lindenwood University comes to Ritter Arena. Friday’s game begins at 7 p.m., while Saturday’s game starts at 2 p.m. RIT will “Skate for the Cure” on Saturday, wearing special puzzle piece jerseys in conjunction with AutismUp.
RIT’s special game worn jerseys will be auctioned off online in February, with all proceeds going to AutismUp through the RIT United Way campaign. For more information, visit autismup.org. Last year, the Tigers raised $5,939.86 for CURE Childhood Cancer Association in its Skate for the Cure game.
AutismUp is the leading autism organization in Rochester and the surrounding areas. Founded in 2004, by a small group of parents of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), their mission is to support individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder, and their families, by expanding and enhancing opportunities to improve quality of life.
Tickets for the game are available at the Gordon Field House and Activities Center Box Office or by phone at (585) 475-4121. Fans can also purchase tickets at www.rithockey.com. Ticket prices are $5 for adults, $4 for faculty/staff/alumni and $3 for students and youth. RIT student admission is free with valid ID (ticket must be picked up at the box office, one per ID).
The Tigers play their final 10 games, all against College Hockey America opponents. RIT is currently third in the CHA standings, a point ahead of Syracuse. The top two teams receive a bye into the CHA semifinals.
RIT (10-12-2, 5-4-1 CHA) enters the weekend looking to get back in the win column after falling to Syracuse by a score of 5-4 in overtime last Friday. RIT trailed 4-2 with 4:39 left before scoring a pair of goals in a span of 2:23 to tie the game. Marissa Maugeri(Ajax, Ontario/Durham West Lightning) tied a career-high with three points on a goal and two assists, while Kolbee McCrea (Wawa, Ontario/Burlington Barracudas) added a goal and an assist. Morgan Scoyne (Drumbo, Ontario/Stoney Creek Sabres) and Melissa Bromley (Aurora, Ontario/Aurora Panthers) also scored for the Tigers. In net, Jetta Rackleff (Bend, OR/Summit) made a career-high 44 saves in the loss.
Seven players have at least 10 points for the Tigers this season. Maugeri and McCrea lead the team in scoring with 17 points apiece. McCrea has a team-best 12 goals, while Maugeri has 10 points (3-7-10) over her last eight games. In net, Ali Binnington (Oakville, Ontario/Mississauga Chiefs) is expected to return after missing the last two games due to injury. She is 8-8-2 with a 2.20 goals against average and .928 save percentage this season. Binnington is tied for ninth nationally with three shutouts and is also 16th in save percentage.
Lindenwood (2-18-2, 2-7-1 CHA) enters this weekend’s games looking to snap a five-game losing streak. The Lions last played on Dec. 31 and Jan. 1, dropping a pair of road games at Minnesota State. Lindenwood is being outscored its opponents, 80-23 this season. Kendra Broad leads the team in scoring with nine points, while Jocelyn Slattery and Katie Erickson have five goals each to lead the squad. In net, Nicole Hensley is 2-17-2 with a 3.40 goals against average and .917 save percentage.
This will be the third and fourth meetings between the two schools this weekend. RIT leads the all-time series between the two schools, 2-1-3. On Nov. 8-9, the two teams met in Lindenwood, with RIT taking three of a possible four points. On Nov. 8, RIT broke a scoreless tie in the third period with three goals to win 3-0. The next day, Lindenwood goaltender Nicole Hensley stopped 44 shots as the two teams skated to a 1-1 draw. RIT went 1-0-1 against Lindenwood at Ritter Arena last season.
Members of the 2011-12 RIT NCAA Division III Champion RIT women’s hockey team, along with former All-Americans will be honored as part of Ritter Arena’s Night of Champions, which will be held on Saturday during the men’s game against Niagara. There are 12 current Tigers who were a part of that championship team.
This is the final season that RIT will play at historic Ritter Arena. In 2014-15, RIT will move into the Gene Polisseni Center, which is expected to seat 4,000 fans. Come out, support the Tigers, and “Rock the Ritter”.
