Sunday, February 11, 2007

Wayne State splits weekend at Niagara

The Wayne State Warriors (12-15-1, 4-4-0 CHA) split their weekend series at Niagara as they lost 6-2 on Friday and earned a 2-1 win on Saturday. With the victory, Wayne State retained second place in the CHA rankings.

A colossal first period saw the Purple Eagles score four straight goals on netminder Valery Turcotte before she was pulled and replaced by Tiffany Thompson (pictured). Niagara added another goal in the second period before Sam Poyton scored on a breakaway to put the Warriors on the board. Chelsea Burnett and Lindsey DiPietro assisted on the goal, which was Poyton's 16th of the season.

A Wayne State power play late in the second period allowed Poyton and Melissa Boal to set up DiPietro for her fifth goal of the season and improve the score to 5-2. But Niagara forward Ashley Riggs capped off her evening hat trick with a goal midway through the third period.

Despite the loss, Wayne State outshot Niagara 44-20. Turcotte made three saves in her 13 minutes of play and Thompson had eleven after entering the game.

Thompson started Saturday's game and gave up her only goal less than a minute into play. Halfway through the first, Boal and Brandi Frakie set up freshman Katrina Protopapas to tie the score. Boal scored her 22nd goal of the season on a breakaway in the second period, and it proved to be the game-winner.

The Warriors outshot the Purple Eagles 31-29; Thompson had 28 saves.

The Warriors play their last road series of the season when they face No. 1 Mercyhurst this weekend.

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