Tigers Win First-Ever Game Against Junior Aeros

The fans expressed their disappointment as the Tigers' goalie stopped the spinning cupholder that the fans were watching on the ice. A high shot on RIT's net had knocked off the water bottle holder above the net, and it looked like it would keep spinning indefinitely on the nearly frictionless ice. The fans were not disappointed for too long though, because they had really come to see the hockey game – and it was a good game to watch.

On Friday September 27, The RIT Women's Hockey team played their season opener against a team they had never before faced: the Toronto Junior Aeros. The Tigers won the non-conference matchup handily (5-2).

The Junior Aeros are an Intermediate AA team, meaning the players are 20 years old and under. The young-but-skilled team put the Tigers on defense in the first minutes of the game and held the pressure. However, the Tigers took more opportunities to shoot, making the first period shot count 14-8.

During the first Aeros penalty, fourth year Multidisciplinary Studies major Erin Zach scored after receiving a pass close to the net – the only goal in the period. The Tigers would score another power play goal in the third period.

Both teams took advantage of the friendly, non-conference game by rotating their goaltenders. Two Junior Aeros goaltenders played, while three RIT goaltenders saw ice time. RIT starter Ali Binnington, third year Finance major, played the first period, followed by second year Chemical Engineering major Jetta Rackleff in the second and first year Environmental Sustainability major Brooke Stoddart in the third. The Junior Aeros scored their only two goals on Stoddart.

RIT plays its next home game on Friday October 11 at 7 p.m. in Ritter Arena against the University of Vermont. Conference play will start in November.