The Engineers completed their sweep of the Boston University Terriers with an insurance goal with just three seconds to go. Leading up to the exciting finish Saturday afternoon, BU had scored three goals in the previous five minutes. The Engineers, now 7-0-1, continue to remain undefeated with no end in sight for their winning ways after defeating the top dog in Hockey East.
On Friday night, the women exploded during the second period, scoring five unanswered goals and taking the lead after trailing 2-0. Two of RPI’s goals were shorthanded, both unassisted by freshmen.
Saturday’s game started off with an early goal when senior Julie Welte deflected a wayward shot by freshman Mel Guillemette just 22 seconds into the game.
From there, the Engineers would enjoy nearly an hour of play consisting of RPI domination, and after a momentary meltdown, the team netted its fifth and final goal of the night with seconds left to play. Head Coach John Burke said, “I thought we played well for 56 minutes. But sure made it exciting for the fans who stayed and watched.”
Following Welte’s deflection, RPI’s second goal came at 13:44 from Jamie-Lynn Stewart. “[Freshman] Nicole [McDonald] pinned the goalie and I picked up a loose puck in the corner.” She explained, “I saw the defenseman was coming to cut me off, and I saw the opening in between the goalie’s legs.”
Stewart’s second goal of the night arrived when she found the net just under five minutes into the second period. This time, her goal was unassisted.
Sophomore Kelly Barbera brought the score to 4-0 when she scored her first goal of the season at 8:20. The goal was assisted by Stewart and Guillemette.
A lull in the action fell over the team as the Engineers could no longer score against the BU defense. Stewart felt that the team grew too confident in the game, simply saying, “We fell apart.”
As the game “fell apart” late in the third, BU scored three goals in rapid succession. Barbera said, “It wasn’t a change of pace, just some bad bounces,” referring to the play during the 6-4 disadvantage after BU pulled their goalie as RPI was called for hooking with 1:53 left. “It looked chaotic; it was a little hectic but they handled it very well.” The score was 4-3 with just over 16 seconds to play.
Head Coach John Burke partially attributes the collapse to the lack of a clear by RPI’s defense, and their failure to get a line change. But he said they always approach the 6-4 the same way, no drastic changes.
When Welte intercepted the puck and passed it to captain Sarah Daniel, she scored on an open goal just three seconds before the buzzer, bringing the final score to 5-3.
The night before, the women came from behind for the fourth time in their last five games to win. The other three games were against Colgate, Robert Morris, and McGill.
When freshman goalie Ashley Mayr got turned around and tangled up with another skater, all it took was a quick pass and the puck was flipped in for BU’s first goal at 5:25. A power play and a misplay seven minutes later let BU bring the score to 2-0. Burke felt that Mayr battled back after returning to the net, seen when she “made a couple big saves right before Nicole’s goal to tie the game up.”
RPI’s incredible string of goals was started by freshman Jaime Jacquard-Sowa’s rocket shot over Terrier goalie Pilch’s glove. She received the puck from Julie Welte, and freshman Laura Menken was also credited with an assist.
Rensselaer exploded in the second period to take control of the puck and the scoreboard. Their first shorthanded goal of the night came when McDonald took a shot while falling, nearly diving to get it off. Her miracle shot was her sixth of the year. Burke said her goal “took a little wind out of their sails” and was integral to the successful game.
The next goal, at 6:10 into the second, was Daniel’s sixth of the season and was assisted by Jacquard-Sowa and Guillemette. Barely a minute later, freshman Emily Donowick scored her sixth goal of the season, assisted by seniors Kari Rabatin and Jennifer Onksen.
Between goals, Mayr filled the second period with exciting diving saves. Redeeming herself for the unexpected goals earlier in the game. “It was a last resort” said Mayr of her dives, “I did anything to get my body in front of [the puck].”
Jennifer Onksen made the score 5-2, bringing near certain victory. She was helped by Kari Rabatin, and freshman Emily Donowick. Late in the period, on a power play, a BU skater’s shot flew five feet wide of the net, but took a lucky bounce off another BU forward and shot past Mayr, thus ending Rensselaer’s run of five unanswered goals.
The third period saw a continuation of great work from Mayr to preserve the lead as BU became desperate and play grew rougher.
RPI’s second shorthanded goal of the night was the result of Donowick actually stealing the puck from a BU player, setting up a play behind the Terriers’ net. Donowick casually hooked around and tossed the puck into the net, surprising the goalie and fans alike.
The Engineers’ seventh goal was tucked in by sophomore Brooke Thompson coming from McDonald to make the last goal of the first win against Boston University.
Next weekend, the Engineers welcome Elmira College. Although they are Division III, the Soaring Eagles have been NCAA national champions for half of their seasons, and beat RPI 3-2 in their last meeting. The two undefeated teams play on Saturday at 2 pm at the Houston Field House. On Sunday, RPI will play host to Utica. That game will also start at 2 pm at the Houston Field House.
