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 Rachael Benninger scored her first goal in nearly three years on Saturday at RMU. |
Jan. 28, 2006
MOON TWP., Pa. - The Wayne State women's hockey team (10-12-4, 2-1-1 CHA) earned its second straight series sweep, capping off the weekend with a 4-1 victory at Robert Morris (1-1801, 0-4-0 CHA) on Saturday night.
With 61 seconds remaining in the first period, Lindsay DiPietro (Manotick, Ont./Ottawa Lady Senators) gave the Warriors a 1-0 lead with her 11th goal of the season. Sarah Campbell (Smithers, B.C./Vancouver Griffins) and Sam Poyton (Hamilton, Ont./Stoney Creek Sabres), assisted on the play.
Poyton scored the eventual game-winner, her 19th goal of the season, at 8:36 in the second period to increase WSU's lead to 2-0. She now has a goal in each of the last four games. Rachael Benninger (Huntington Beach, Calif./California Selects), who has recorded an assist in three straight series, and DiPietro were credited with the helpers.
Benninger added a goal to the tally with 22 seconds remaining in the frame, her first since Feb. 22, 2003 against St. Cloud State. Assisting on the goal were DiPietro, who has six multi-point games this season, and Poyton, whose 31 points put her in a tie with Melissa Boal (Pakenham, Ont./Ottawa Raiders) for the team lead and single-season record.
Through two periods of play, Wayne State held a 39-4 advantage in shots on goal over Robert Morris.
Kristy Leng (Lindenhurst, Ill./Wisconsin Wild) continued her hot streak with a power-play goal at 3:36 of the third period to give Wayne State a 4-0 lead. It marks her third of the season, and increases her point streak to four games. Campbell earned her second multi-point game of the season with an assist, and captain Jessica Snelgrove (Tecumseh, Ont./Team Ontario) broke an eight-game pointless streak with an additional helper.
Robert Morris was able to break the shutout at 7:09, however, as Morgan Beikirch scored her fourth of the year, from Laura White and Jamie Ferrentino.
Valery Turcotte (Jonquiere, Que./Royal Metabetchouan) made 11 saves for her eighth win of the season. RMU's Brianne LcLaughlin saved 48 of the Warriors' 52 shots on goal in the contest.
The Warriors are off from competition next weekend, but will resume CHA play when Mercyhurst comes to the City Sports Center Arena for a series, Feb. 10-11.
