BEMIDJI, Minn. — Robert Morris came from behind twice at Bemidji State to earn a 4-4 tie Saturday and avoid being swept in its season-opening series.
“I know one of the things our players take incredibly serious is just the will and the desire to play 60 minutes every night and 65 when it demands it,” Colonials coach Paul Colontino said. “They never quit and they never gave up. They were able to battle back and they got a reward for it.”
Amber Rennie’s second goal of the game, with only 18 ticks left, forced overtime. With an extra attacker on the ice for the Colonials (0-1-1), Kristen Welsh found Rennie stationed outside the crease and the freshman converted the chance.
Stephanie Anderson had put Bemidji State (1-0-1) in position for the win at 16:29 of the second stanza, jumping on a loose puck and roofing a backhand. That marked the end of the day for starting goaltender Jessica Dodds.
“I think the No. 1 star should have been the Bailey girl that came in, Lauren Bailey,” said Beavers coach Jim Scanlan of the opposing goalie. “She had 16 shots and she stopped all of them. She was the difference and made some big saves. She was outstanding.”
Anderson’s tally finished a back-and-forth middle period. When the hosts found themselves on the wrong side of the score for the first time in the contest, Kristin Huber buried a rebound on a two-on-one rush just 72 seconds later.
“That was a big response for us,” Scanlan said. “And then just a great effort by Steph on the fourth goal. That was the end of a great shift by the five that were out there.”
Earlier, Rennie had given Robert Morris its first lead of the day, capping a three-goal rally from a 2-0 hole for the visitors. Rennie flipped a rebound over a sprawled Erin Deters.
That goal came a little more than three minutes after the Colonials knotted the game at 2-2. Amanda Pantaleo won a puck battle in the corner and got it to Natalie Fraser, whose bad-angle shot found its way into the net.
“It’s like an emotional roller coaster,” said Bemidji State captain Hanna Moher. “It’s up, it’s down, but that’s hockey. Can’t get too high or too low.”
Bemidji State got off to a quick start when Anderson found Moher camped out alone in front on the game’s first shift.
The Beavers’ lead doubled when Alexis Joyce came down from the point and sniped the top corner from an open slot.
The Colonials capitalized on their first power play to draw within one before the first period ended. Freshman Maggie LaGue, stationed atop the umbrella, slid a pass to Mikaela Lowater that she buried before Deters could slide across.
After a scoreless overtime, the Colonials converted on two of three attempts to win a ceremonial shootout.
“I think it counts as a tie, but the moral victory of the shootout — it’s a great moment for them to enjoy,” Colontino said.
Robert Morris is on the road again next week at Colgate while Bemidji State travels to Vermont.
“There’s less outside distractions,” Moher said. “It’s just us and we’re there to play some hockey.”
