In the second half of their weekend matchup, St. Lawrence defeated Robert Morris, 3-1, to sweep the Colonials. Sophomore defender Kirsten Padalis had three points for St. Lawrence and first-year goalie Brooke Wolejko registered her first collegiate win in her first start for the Saints.
The first period was closely contested, but both Jessica Dodds for Robert Morris and Wolejko for St. Lawrence were able to keep the puck out of the net, and after 20 minutes, the score was tied at zero.
However, the Saints opened the scoring early in the second. Junior Kailee Heidersbach moved the puck from the below the faceoff dots to the point, where Padalis fired a wrist shot that had eyes for the back of the net. Padalis’ goal, her first of the year, gave the Saints the 1-0 lead.
After that goal, both goalies took over the rest of the period. St. Lawrence coach Chris Wells praised both netminders following the contest.
“Dodds was on her game,” said Wells. He was also pleased with the play of his own goalie, saying, “She made some key plays just to get a stoppage in play so we could get some changes when Robert Morris was putting some pressure on us.”
The third period saw more offense from both teams. St. Lawrence took a two-goal lead less than five minutes in on Brooke Webster’s goal, her team-leading fifth of the year and second in as many games. Webster took a short pass from Kennedy Marchment in the neutral zone and skated down the left wing before snapping a shot from the faceoff dot that beat Dodds low. The goal stood as the game-winner. Padalis also got an assist on the play with the breakout pass from the St. Lawrence defensive zone.
The Saints struck later in the period on a power play to take a 3-0 lead. Jenna Marks fired a snap shot from above the left faceoff dot that rung low of the right post and bounced in the net. Padalis was credited with her second assist of the game.
Robert Morris managed to find a way past Wolejko late in the third. With 3:30 remaining, Rikki Meilleur shot the puck from just below the left faceoff dot between Wolejko’s equipment to put the Colonials on the board. Mikaela Lowater got the only assist on the goal.
On recording her first career win, Wolejko said, “It was a good feeling, definitely, but my team played really well in front of me.” Wolejko made 15 saves on 16 shots in the contest.
Robert Morris coach Paul Colontino was happier with his team’s effort in the game, saying they played with more pride.
“It was a guttier performance from people,” said Colontino. “We worked our way through, one period at a time. We got on the board just a little to late.”
Wells was also happy with his team’s performance, and was not surprised that the Colonials played the way they did.
“I was happy with our effort and continued pace; we had to work extremely hard to get our three goals,” said Wells.
The Saints, who improved to 3-2-1 on the season, will next play ECAC foe Clarkson in Potsdam on Oct. 28, while Robert Morris, which fell to 2-6, next faces Northeastern at home on Oct. 24.
