SDS416
02-25-2006, 09:30 PM
In absolutely brutal weather (I swear I still feel cold) RIT defeated #8 Stevens 10-9 at the RIT Turf Field. The game was played in BRUTAL conditions that featured wind chills of single digits. Winds easily in excess of 25 mph blew snow through the air that accumulated to well oven an inch. Officials were forced to call timeouts to have the lines shoveled off and switched to a yellow ball when players complained that they could no longer see it through the snow. But on to the game...
RIT came out very strong and held a 2-1 lead at the end of the first quarter of play, in a game that was the opener for both squads. Stevens got outstanding goaltending as RIT controlled the ball for much of the first quarter, only to be denied on numerous occasions. The second quarter began with a 3 minute NR for an illegal crosse penalty going to Stevens. RIT would blow the game open with 2 EMO goals to take a 4-1 lead in route to a 7-2 halftime lead. During the halftime break the snow picked up considerably. And Stevens took advantage of the weather in the second half, utilizing shots from long range that were difficult to pick up through the snow. Stevens battled back to reach an 8-8 tie in the 4th before RIT put it away with 2 goals in a 2 minute span in the middle of the 4th that eventually provided the winning margain, in spite of a valiant effort by Stevens in the closing minute to attempt to tie it up.
In a game played in nearly impossible conditions, its difficult to say exactly what each teams strengths and weaknesses were. I would say that RIT's offense is explosive and will be difficult to handle this season. The D is somewhat suspect and needs to tighten up, although Stevens was a well regarded team ranked inside the top 10. Stevens got outstanding goaltending and was impressive in the area of their clears. They transition extremely well and have some speed that creates some great outlet opportunities.
RIT came out very strong and held a 2-1 lead at the end of the first quarter of play, in a game that was the opener for both squads. Stevens got outstanding goaltending as RIT controlled the ball for much of the first quarter, only to be denied on numerous occasions. The second quarter began with a 3 minute NR for an illegal crosse penalty going to Stevens. RIT would blow the game open with 2 EMO goals to take a 4-1 lead in route to a 7-2 halftime lead. During the halftime break the snow picked up considerably. And Stevens took advantage of the weather in the second half, utilizing shots from long range that were difficult to pick up through the snow. Stevens battled back to reach an 8-8 tie in the 4th before RIT put it away with 2 goals in a 2 minute span in the middle of the 4th that eventually provided the winning margain, in spite of a valiant effort by Stevens in the closing minute to attempt to tie it up.
In a game played in nearly impossible conditions, its difficult to say exactly what each teams strengths and weaknesses were. I would say that RIT's offense is explosive and will be difficult to handle this season. The D is somewhat suspect and needs to tighten up, although Stevens was a well regarded team ranked inside the top 10. Stevens got outstanding goaltending and was impressive in the area of their clears. They transition extremely well and have some speed that creates some great outlet opportunities.