NEVILLE TOWNSHIP– After starting the season 3-1, the RMU women’s hockey team has a three-game losing streak, including last night when they fell 5-1 to the Clarkson Golden Knights.

The Colonials looked to turn it around with a matinee puck drop at Clearview Arena.

In the first period, both teams looked similar, as the Colonials had difficulty getting the puck into the Golden Knights zone. After a power play that led to nothing. The Golden Knights went on one of their own, and Brooke McQuigge made RMU pay as she put Clarkson first.

Their passing and net front pressure were crucial for them. RMU struggled to get any shots, as they only got four in the first period. A Colonial who stood out was goaltender Maggie Hatch.

The goaltender was under siege, made 13 saves on 14 shots, and was a massive help in the net for the Colonials.

The second period seemed different. The Colonials had much more zone time and killed a massive penalty. By the 11-minute mark, they had more shots on goal than the entire first. With excellent team defense and solid zone entries, the Colonials tried to mount the comeback. Hatch did excellent work again, and the momentum felt like it was swinging in the Colonials’ favor.

The third was more of the same solid defense and good zone time. But when it felt like RMU would have a massive power play, but was offset with a holding call just 15 seconds into the man advantage.

The Colonials’ penalty kill couldn’t save the day as Alexie Guay scored a power-play goal, but with two minutes to go the Colonials got one back. Alaina Giampietro scored a big one, finally getting the Colonials on the border with just two minutes to go.

“I saw the puck on the ice, so I shot and it went in,” Giampietro said.

But following next, empty the Colonials took another pe,nalty and time ran out as they fell 2-1 to the Golden Knights. Hatch finished the game with 34 saves.

“That’s Maggie. That was here last year, and who we recruited, both the goalies were great,” Logan Bittle said.

Coach Bittle was adamant about his team’s battle in the game, and when he could, I in, he was quick to say.

“It was an awesome battle by ours. Weam, we changed them after last night, and they went to battle. I’m proud of them and excited for league play,” Bittle said.

The Colonials take on Mercyhurst on Oct. 27 and 28, both on the road in Erie.