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 Melissa Boal set the career point mark in Wayne State history on Saturday |
Feb. 24, 2007
Detroit, Mich. - The Wayne State women's hockey team (14-17-1, 6-6-0 CHA) scored twice in the first period to defeat visiting Robert Morris (11-21-2, 1-11-0 CHA), 3-1, Saturday afternoon in front of 301 fans at the Michigan State Fairgrounds Coliseum. The win, coupled with Niagara's 3-3 overtime tie versus No. 1 Mercyhurst, leapfrogs Wayne State to the second-place position in the conference standings and will be the second seed in the CHA Tournament next Friday against third seed Niagara.
The Warriors scored first at the 11 minute mark of the first period when freshman defenseman Christine Jefferson (Nepean, Ontario/Merival) shot a slap shot from the blue line that went off the skate of a Robert Morris player and past goaltender Brianne McLaughlin. Freshman blueliner Chelsea Burnett (Ridgeway, Ontario/Stoney Creek Sabres) gave the hosts a 2-0 lead when she shot over McLaughlin's glove hand.
The Colonials cut the deficit to one with a tally with under a minute left in the opening period when Kristen Miles scored off a rebound in front of junior goaltender Valery Turcotte (Jonquiere, Quebec/Royal Metabetchouan).
Sophomore forward Melissa Boal (Pakenham, Ontario/Ottawa Raiders) gave Wayne State some breathing room with four minutes left in the second period when she scored on a one-timer in front of McLaughlin. Teammate Sam Poyton (Hamilton, Ontario/Stoney Creek Sabres) passed the puck to Boal behind the Colonials' net. The goal gave Boal her second point of the contest, giving her 90 career points and setting the career mark in Wayne State women's hockey history. The previous mark was 89 set by Kelly Zamora.
Each team was 0-for-2 on the power play. Wayne State outshot Robert Morris, 39-21, as Turcotte made 20 saves for WSU and McLaughlin made 36 saves for RMU.
Sophomore forward Lindsay DiPietro had three assists in the contest, the third time she has accomplished the feat this season. The previous times came Nov. 25 vs. Boston College and Jan. 13 vs. No. 1 Mercyhurst.
Wayne State will take on Niagara at next weekend's conference tournament hosted by Robert Morris. The #2 Warriors and #3 Purple Eagles battle at 1 p.m. on Friday, while #1 Mercyhurst and #4 Robert Morris follow at 4 p.m. The winners will play for the championship on Saturday at 4 p.m. Before the game, senior forward and co-captain Laura Monk (Mississauga, Ontario/Stoney Creek Sabres) was honored as part of "Senior Day" festivities.
