SCHENECTADY, NY– The RIT women's hockey team (9-11-2) skated a 1-1 tie at Union (7-12-1), thanks to a late third period goal by #Marissa Maugeri (Ajax, Ontario/Durham West Lightning)# on Saturday afternoon at Frank L. Messa Rink.
 
It was Maugeri's lone goal, her fifth of the season, that forced overtime, off a feed from #Kolbee McCrea (Wawa, Ontario/Burlington Barracudas) and Lindsay Grigg (Oakville, Ontario/Oakville Hornets)# who had the assists with 9:48 left in regulation.
 
Union's goal was scored by Jessica Kaminsky, her second of the weekend for the Dutchwomen.
 
Despite outshooting Union 49-25, RIT struggled mightily in power play situations going 0-for-6 with the extra skater.
 
Goaltender #Ali Binnington (Oakville, Ontario/Mississauga Chiefs)# was solid in net making 24 saves on 25 shots, allowing just the one goal early in the first period on a Union power play.
 
Union Goalkeeper Maddie Dahl was just as impressive in net as she faced 49 shots on the day and making 48 saves, as she stopped nearly everything the Tiger offense seemed to throw toward the net.
 
"Although I thought we had a good effort throughout the game, I thought we showed a lack of poise when scoring opportunities were there," said RIT Head Coach #Scott McDonald#. "Our power play really let us down this weekend, and they were outworked by Union's penalty killing unit."
 
RIT came out of the gate with a head full of steam offensively, generating nine shots on goal through the first seven minutes of play. #Celeste Brown (Great Falls, MT/National Sports Academy)# had the best scoring chance for the Tigers early on a breakaway but her backhander right inside the left post was denied by Dahl.
 
Minutes later RIT had another great opportunity with three on two off a steal in the neutral zone but #Erin Zach (Elmira, Ontario/Cambridge Fury)# couldn't net it with a slap shot out in front.
 
With 8:13 remaining in the first Kaminsky broke the scoreless tie with a great deflection goal on the left side of the net right past the outstretched pad of Binnington.
 
Later RIT was in business with a 5-on-3 situation where the Tigers fired a handful of shot from all over the offensive zone. Dahl and the defense held tough though killing off both penalties and preserving their 1-0 lead.
 
When the first period came to a close the Tigers had recorded a season high, 26 shots on goal, outshooting Union by 15.
 
The RIT offense cooled off a bit entering the second period as neither team really found momentum. At the 8:57 Union nearly added to their lead with a deflection that slid right out in front of the net but Binnington quickly made a stick save to clear out the puck off and keep the deficit at one.
 
The Tigers had their fair share of chances late with a power play to close out the period, but failed to get on the board.
 
Finally, in the third Maugeri took the puck off a feed from McCrea and showed some nifty stick handling to take the puck left and slide it back right, pushing it past the pad of Dahl into the right side of the net to tie the game at 1-1.
 
Later in the period Union would nearly grab the lead back with a deflection that missed by inches on the right side of the goal off the netting. RIT would hold strong though and the teams would head to overtime for the second straight night tied at 1-1.
 
In overtime RIT's offense stayed aggressive looking to grab a game-winning goal. A Union penalty gave the Tigers a great opportunity but Dahl stood tall to make three terrific saves right out in front of the net and kill off the penalty. The final seconds ticked away and the two teams skated to a 1-1 draw.
 
The tie is only the second of the season for the Tigers, and their first all-time against Union pushing their record against the Dutchwomen to 5-3-1.
 
RIT wrapped up their non-conference schedule for the 2013-14 season, finishing with a record of 5-8-1.
 
The Tigers remaining 12 games will all be against CHA foes leading up to the conference tournament in March. RIT starts the final stretch of the season next Friday, Jan. 10, where they welcome Syracuse to Ritter Arena. It will be the first of four meetings between the Tigers and the Orange, with the game getting underway at 7:05 p.m.