Hey hockey fans! Get ready for an exciting weekend as the RIT women’s hockey team gears up to start their College Hockey America (CHA) play against Lindenwood. The Tigers will be facing off against Lindenwood on Friday and Saturday, October 27-28.
Let’s take a quick look back at the Tigers’ recent game against St. Lawrence. Despite a tough 2-1 loss, senior forward Nicole Ness scored a goal in the third period, bringing the Tigers within one goal of tying the game. Junior goalie Sarah Coe made an impressive 37 saves to keep the Tigers in the fight.
RIT is off to a strong start this season, leading the CHA in goals allowed per game with an average of 1.89. They are also tied for third in goals scored per game, averaging 2.0. The Tigers are dominating in blocked shots, leading the league with 134 blocks, which is an average of 14.89 per game. They have a solid penalty kill percentage of 81.5% and are winning almost 50% of their faceoffs.
The Tigers have a well-rounded roster, with several players making an impact on the ice. Senior Emma Roland, juniors Jessie Burks and Athena Vasdani, and sophomores Jaidan Fahrny and Lexi Sung are all tied for first on the team with four points each. Roland is also tied for sixth in the league with three goals, while Burks is tied for fifth with four assists.
Keep an eye on senior captain Lindsay Maloney, who is excelling in faceoffs, winning 55.4% of them and ranking third in the league with 103 faceoff wins. First-year player Emma Pickering has been a force on defense, leading the team with 18 blocked shots. Junior Kyla Bear is not far behind with 16 blocked shots.
In goal, Sarah Coe is a standout player for the Tigers. She leads the CHA with a 2.10 goals against average, a .937 save percentage, and an impressive 31.71 saves per game.
Now, let’s talk about their upcoming opponents, Lindenwood. Lindenwood recently split a pair of games at the 2023 Women’s Ice Breaker, winning against Sacred Heart and losing to the No. 13 Huskies. Junior Morgan Neitzke had an outstanding performance in the win, recording a hat trick, while graduate student Rachel Goff contributed with two assists. Senior Natalie Ferenc made 23 saves to secure the victory.
Lindenwood is currently second in the CHA in goals scored per game, averaging 2.25. However, they are struggling defensively, allowing an average of 5.38 goals per game. They have a decent power play conversion rate of 12.8% and a penalty kill rate of 70.0%.
Morgan Neitzke is a player to watch on Lindenwood’s roster. She leads the CHA in points, averaging 1.38 per game, and has scored six goals so far. Sarah Davies is another key player, with six points to her name. Gigi Pora and Rachel Goff are tied for third on the team with five points each.
In goal, Natalie Ferenc has been facing a lot of shots, averaging 30.86 saves per game. She has a 4.95 goals against average and a .874 save percentage.
The Tigers have had some tough matchups against Lindenwood in the past, but they are ready to turn the tables this season. Last year, Lindenwood had a perfect 4-0 record against RIT, including two wins at the Gene Polisseni Center. However, RIT’s last victory against Lindenwood was a 6-4 win in the 2022 CHA Quarterfinal.
Key players for RIT in previous matchups against Lindenwood include Sarah Coe, who has a 2.76 goals against average and a .923 save percentage in seven career games, and Emma Roland, who has six points (3 goals, 3 assists) against Lindenwood. Lindsay Maloney, Megan McCormick, and Athena Vasdani have also made significant contributions.
Get ready for an action-packed weekend as the RIT women’s hockey team takes on Lindenwood in their CHA opener. With their strong defensive play and talented roster, the Tigers are poised to make a statement in the league. Don’t miss out on the excitement!