Oct. 11, 2008

Box Score

Fairfield, CT -

The SHU women’s hockey team defeated Robert Morris College 6-4 in their home opener Saturday night. The Pioneers entered the third period ahead 3 goals but found themselves tied with 10:30 to go. Freshman Nicole Palazzo (Rocky Hill, CT) saved the day with her second goal of the game late in the third period.

The Pioneers jumped on the Eagles early scoring four first period goals. Palazzo opened the scoring with her first collegiate goal, which she scored on a power play. Gina Arnone (Bridgewater, NJ), Sara Reddington (Needham, MA), and Lauren Fontaine (Windsor, Ontario) also added markers in the opening stanza. SHU dominated the first period outshooting Robert Morris College 20-5.

The second period featured little action in either offensive end as neither team could find any quality scoring chances. That changed at the very end of the frame as Robert Morris capitalized on the power play, cutting the Pioneer lead to 4-1.

The third period was a totally different story as both teams poured shots on goal and committed numerous penalties. Eagle freshman Ramey Weaver pulled Robert Morris even with the Pioneers by lighting the lamp two times in two minutes. Just as the contest seemed destined for overtime Palazzo was able to coral a bouncing puck in front of the crease and slam it home for the eventual game winner. Whitney Dziama (Walpole, MA) sealed the game with 47 seconds left on another power play goal.

After the game Palazzo commented, “I was really excited to score my first collegiate goal, at first I wasn’t exactly sure how to act. It was even more exciting and special to score the second goal because it was the game winning goal.”

The Pioneers dominated statistically outshooting the Eagles 52-21. SHU also improved on what was a troublesome topic two weeks ago at UConn as they went 2-8 on the power play. The victory was the first for Pioneer freshman goaltender Amanda Nagel (Greenwood, MN), who made 17 saves.

SHU will now take to the road for a seven game road trip that includes tilts at Maine, Syracuse, Rhode Island, Salve Regina, and Nichols. The Pioneers will return home November 22nd to take on Hamline at 2:00 pm back at the Wonderland of Ice.