Official Site of Robert Morris University Club Sports

First Win for Women's Club Hockey!

Colonials storm back from a 3-0 deficit in the 3rd to win 4-3 in OT

By: Cadeyn McCrory

Women's D2 Club Ice Hockey | 1/18/2023 1:43:00 PM

To watch the highlights, click the play arrow in the image above

Moon, PA- For the RMU Division 2 Women's Club Hockey team there was one goal going into 2023; getting their first win. Starting the season 0-9, the Colonials knew they had to take advantage of the opportunity in front of them as the Niagara Purple Eagles came to town on January 13, 2023. This was not the first time the Colonials have seen the Purple Eagles, falling to them 4-3 on the road in a tightly contested battle on December 9, 2022. The Colonials also picked up a fresh addition to the lineup in IUP (PA) transfer Maddie Sauro to the offensive core.

The game started with the Purple Eagles swarming the Colonials zone but netminder MacKenzie Walkowiak made a plethora of saves to keep the score 0-0. At 9:33 of the first period Niagara forward Maia MacLean put home her 7th of the season to make it 1-0. With under 2 minutes to go MacLean found linemate Mary Whelen in front of the net for her 6th of the season to make it 2-0 Niagara.

Going into period 2, netminder Alexia Martinez entered the contest and stopped everything that came her way until Walkowiak re-entered a couple minutes later. The intensity and chances began to favor the RMU side but Purple Eagles netminder Courtney Schum stood tall to the task. After some back and forth play, the contest remained 2-0 after 2 periods.

The start of period 3 was more of the same as both netminders put on a clinic. That was until a loose chance in front went Niagara's way and Maia MacLean put home her 2nd of the game and 8th of the season. RMU quickly responded with some quick chances of their own but Schum continued her phenomenal performance. Then, Erin Secilia found herself on a partial breakaway, fed the puck in front and after a mad scramble Sydney Spuzzillo put home the loose chance for the 1st of her career. Amare Marrese took a penalty moments later for interference but as the penalty expired she stepped free and found herself on a breakaway but was hooked going to the net. The Colonials could not capitalize on the powerplay. Just under a minute later, Erin Secilia found herself on a breakaway again and buried it home for her 3rd of the season to take the deficit down to 3-2. The urgency picked up rapidly for the Colonials as time ticked away. With just under 2 minutes on the clock Amare Marrese took it herself and fired it home from the left circle for her 3rd of the season and to tie the game at 3.

The game was headed to a 3 on 3 sudden death overtime as the Colonials could feel their first win at their fingertips. Both teams traded chances but Walkowiak and Schum did not let the pressure stop them. With just under 3 minutes left, Captain Brianna Mevded took it 200 feet, end to end, walking the defense, faking out the goaltender and putting home the game winning goal and her 2nd of the season! For the first time ever, the RMU Women's Club Hockey Team had a tally in the win column. Congratulations to Head Coach Jim Napoli, Assistant Coach Breanna Doherty, and all the players on a hard fought, resilient, and well deserved victory.

Game stats
#30 MacKenzie Walkowiak 24 saves on 27 shots .889SV%
#21 Erin Secilia 1 goal 2 assists
#8 Brianna Medved 1 goal 1 assist
#16 Amara Marrese 1 goal 2 PIM
#14 Sydney Spuzzillo 1 goal
#20 Danielle Karol 1 assist 2 PIM
#9 Madysen Myers 1 assist
#31 Alexia Martinez 4 saves on 4 shots 1.000SV%

Cadeyn McCrory '25
RMU Club Sports

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

#20 Danielle Karol: Sophomore

#9 Madysen Myers: Sophomore

#14 Sydney Spuzzillo: Senior

#16 Amara Marrese: Sophomore

#31 Alexia Martinez: G; Sophomore

#8 Brianna Medved: Sophomore

#21 Erin Secilia: Freshman

Players Mentioned

#20 Danielle Karol
: Sophomore

#9 Madysen Myers
: Sophomore

#14 Sydney Spuzzillo
: Senior

#16 Amara Marrese
: Sophomore

#31 Alexia Martinez
: Sophomore
: G

#8 Brianna Medved
: Sophomore

#21 Erin Secilia
: Freshman

Sticky bar

Official Site of Robert Morris University Club Sports

Scores