RPI women's hockey beats Union to capture Mayor's Cup

PHOTOGRAPHER: Ken Schott

The RPI women's hockey team poses with the Mayor's Cup trophy after beating Union 2-0 on Saturday at MVP Arena.

ALBANY — The Union women’s hockey team did just about everything right against RPI in the fourth edition of the Mayor’s Cup game at MVP Arena.

The Dutchwomen outshot the Engineers 32-27. They had a 31-21 faceoff advantage. They were 5 for 5 on the penalty kill. Union had six power-play attempts and fired 14 shots on goal with a player advantage.

But their failure to score on the power play, coupled with two mistakes late in the game, cost them in a 2-0 loss on Saturday.

It’s the third Mayor’s Cup victory for the Engineers (9-16-0), who completed a three-game season sweep of the Dutchwomen (4-22-1). RPI won 4-0 and 9-2 in ECAC Hockey games in October.

“That’s a big difference, just not capitalizing on some chances,” Union head coach Josh Sciba said. “I really liked the way our girls played. I liked the way our team played. Obviously, both goaltenders played well. I thought our penalty kill was great. The power play was a big difference.”

Union forward Cassidy Michalicka thought the team did everything just about right on the power play, except score.

“I thought we possessed the puck really well,” Michalicka said. “I thought we generated some really awesome chances. Like Josh said, we’ve just got to find a way to get a puck in the net.”

RPI goalie Amanda Rampado was strong in stopping all the shots, both on the power play and penalty kill.

“As we’ve said all year, you’re best penalty killer is usually your goalie if you’re rolling,” RPI head coach Bryan Vines said. “Amanda had another brilliant game for us.”

“When you’re on a penalty kill, you’ve always got to be dialed in,” said Rampado, who made 30 saves in the 4-0 win Oct. 8 at Messa Rink. “I’m, of course, thankful for the players that we have out here, too. We have lots of players putting their body on the line making some good blocks and helping me out. All credit goes to them, as well.”

The game appeared headed for overtime. But that changed in a 2:12 span late in the period.

Marah Wagner skated to the front of the net from the right side. Her first shot was stopped by goalie Sophie Matsoukas, but Wagner got the rebound and flipped it home with 4:22 left.

“I knew I had to get it to the net somehow, even if it was getting it through a couple of bodies,” Wagner said. “The lane was open right there for me, so I just knew I had to get some body position in front of the net and get the puck to the net.”

Then, with 2:10 left, Union defenseman Meredith Killian tried to shovel the puck underneath Matsoukas to get a stoppage. There was some hesitation between both players, and that allowed Asiah Taylor-Walters to swoop in and put the puck in the net.

Matsoukas said there was some miscommunication on the play.

“That happens,” Matsoukas said.

RPI 0 0 2 — 2

Union 0 0 0 — 0

First Period — None. Penalties — Greco, Uni (tripping), 5:36; Michalicka, Uni (interference), 8:01.

Second Period — None. Penalties — Larsen, RPI (tripping), 4:31; Hildner, RPI (tripping), 9:08; Friday, Uni (hooking), 12:48; Philip, RPI (tripping), 16:22; Peterson, RPI (hooking), 18:46.

Third Period — 1, RPI, Wagner 10 (Severson), 15:38. 2, RPI, Taylor-Walters 1, Blitz), 17:50. Penalties — Bukvic, RPI (cross-checking), 3:43; King, Uni (body checking), 7:51; Killian, Uni (tripping), 11:58; Philip, RPI (hooking), 18:02.

Shots on Goal — RPI 14-4-9 — 27. Union 6-14-12 — 32.

Power-play opportunities — RPI 0 of 5; Union 0 of 6.

Goalies — RPI, Rampado (32 shots-32 saves). Union, Matsoukas 2-5-0 (18-18).

T — 2:02.

Referees — Daniel Gosselin, Matt Wyld. Linesmen — Matthew Portzeba, Tim Waters.