ROCHESTER — The Rochester Institute of Technology Tigers (8-15-5, 7-11-3 AHA) started off right with the first goal of the game in the first period during a power-play opportunity. Unfortunately for the Tigers, this was the last goal they would score in the game, as the Robert Morris Colonials (11-13-4, 11-6-4 AHA) scored five unanswered goals to top the Tigers 5-1.
RIT’s only goal was scored by Ben Lynch during a five-on-three power play. The assistant captain has 84 career points and is ranked 11th all-time at RIT in the Division I level in points.
The Colonials’ first goal of the game was scored by Zac Lynch in the first period. Lynch has been playing exceptionally well on Saturdays, and it continued this Saturday. Entering Saturday’s game, Lynch had 17 points this season when Robert Morris plays on Saturday, ranking Lynch 14th in the NCAA. Also entering Saturday, Lynch’s 10 goals on Saturday are fifth-most in the NCAA. After Saturday’s game, Lynch has a total of 19 points on Saturdays, with 11 goals.
The second period was where Robert Morris really went off, as they outscored the Tigers 3-0 in the second period. Goals were scored by Cody Wydo, Andrew Blazek, and Scott Jacklin. The Colonials also had more shots on goal in the second period as they outshot the Tigers, 15-8.
The total shots on goals and faceoff victories was relatively even on Saturday. Robert Morris outshot the Tigers 33-27 and edged the Tigers in faceoffs, 38-34. Power play opportunities were poor by both teams, as the Colonials were one-for-five while the Tigers were one-for-seven.
“This loss is more mental than anything,” said RIT coach Wayne Wilson. “Our confidence is really low and we’ve got to pick ourselves off the mat now. I’m not as concerned with the X’s and O’s of the game; we just have to find that mentality again.”
“In the second and third period we really focused on our game and not let the extracurricular stuff, after the whistle, and the referees affect our performance,” said Robert Morris coach Derek Schooley. “I think our guys have done a very good job of knowing that if you’re going to give a great effort, you’re going to get rewarded.”
RIT is now 4-6-4 all-time against Robert Morris, as the two schools wrapped up the 2013-2014 regular season series. The two teams went 1-1-1 vs. each other this season.
While Robert Morris is riding a nine-game unbeaten streak (best in school history), Saturday’s game was considered the worst home loss to an AHA opponent this season for RIT. The Tigers drop into a three-way tie for eighth in the conference standings with Holy Cross and American International.
The Tigers have now gone winless in their last six games and wrap up their seven-game homestand next week when conference leader Mercyhurst University comes to the Frank Ritter Arena on Feb. 14-Feb. 15. The Colonials will travel to Niagara University on Thursday, Feb. 13 and then host the Purple Eagles on Saturday, Feb. 15.
