Traverse City, Mich. – The Saints returned to the ice tonight (Jan. 19) to compete in the annual Traverse City Showcase. Aquinas kicked off the showcase with a matchup against Michigan State University. The Spartans scored two quick goals in the first period, but the second period saw the Saints respond with two goals of their own to even the score. The game remained deadlocked thanks to strong defense from AQ until the final whistle for a 2-2 tie.
AQ's record shifts to 1-11-1 on the season after the result.
Aquinas 2, Michigan State 2
Michigan State immediately applied pressure to the Saints and put a flurry of shots on the net.
Kadynce Romijn kept the puck out of the net until the end of the first period. With just 1:58 left on the clock, MSU finally got past Romijn to break the tie. Just 37 seconds later, the Spartans added another goal to double the lead.
Aquinas managed to respond at 12:41 in the second after
Kylie Rancilio passed the puck over to
Lauryn Wood and she beat the Spartan netminder to cut the lead to one. Later in the period,
Anna Castle did the honor of leveling the score with assists coming from
Jenna Blackwell and
Olivia Menard. Michigan State continued to put more shots on net, but the score remained tied 2-2 heading into the third period.
The third period proved to be a back-and-forth battle, but the two sides remained deadlocked at two goals despite a pair of powerplay opportunities for Michigan State.
AQ's best chance at scoring the winning goal came in overtime with just six seconds left on the clock. The Saints were awarded a penalty shot and Maeve Lichtensteiger stepped up to attempt to win it for Aquinas. Unfortunately, MSU managed to keep the puck out of the net and the game resulted in a 2-2 tie.
By the Numbers
Romijn continues to impress as she saved 56 of 58 shots on target for a .966 save percentage.
Wood and Castle both scored their second goals of the season tonight. Rancilio assisted her third goal of the season and both Blackwell and Menard earned their first helpers of the season.
Up Next
AQ will play its final game of the Traverse City Showcase on Sunday (Jan. 21) against the University of Michigan. The puck is scheduled to drop at 12:15 p.m.
