Bensenville, Ill. – The #2 ranked Robert Morris Women’s Hockey team swept their weekend series from #6 ranked Michigan State University, defeating the Spartans 3-0 on Friday, November 30th and 3-2 on Saturday, December 1st. The Eagles raised their overall record to 16-1-0 and remain unbeaten in CCWHA play at 12-0-0 for sole possession of first place.
Game one of the weekend series was a scoreless affair through the first period, but the Eagles capitalized on the power play and took a 1-0 lead in the second period on the eventual game winner from sophomore captain Kasey Powers. Freshman Emily Wagner put the Eagles up 2-0 in the third period and junior assistant captain Jessica Merritt sealed the victory later in the final stanza with a goal for the 3-0 win.
Senior goaltender Staci Pomering stopped all 33 shots she faced in earning her seventh shut-out of the year, with many of her saves made from point blank range.
In game two of the series, Jennifer Wilson scored two goals in the third period, including the game winner to help lead the Eagles to a weekend sweep. Freshman Madi Biluk also scored for RMU in the 3-2 victory and the defense killed off a critical six-on-four Spartan advantage in the final minute of the game to preserve the victory.
Pomering was once again sensational in goal, facing 40 shots and saving 38 of those including several in the final 30 seconds of the game. With the victory, Pomering raised her record to 11-0 on the season between the pipes.
“This was a hard fought series against a strong Michigan State squad this weekend,” said RMU Head Coach Bud Hickey. “Given the injuries we have had to overcome during the two games and with the key players we had missing from our lineup going into the weekend, I am extremely proud of our players and the desire displayed. It is never easy for a team to overcome adversity, especially injuries to key players, but it is especially rewarding to the team when you do. This weekend we were able to do so.”
The Eagles travel to St. Paul, Minnesota this upcoming weekend to take on NCAA opponent the University of St. Thomas on Saturday, December 8th and Sunday, December 9th. Both games will drop the puck at 2:00 P.M. RMU returns home to host The Ohio State University for a pair of CCWHA league games on Friday, December 14th and Saturday, December 15th at The Edge in Bensenville.