The Ramapo ice hockey team fell to Kutztown University on the road Saturday night, putting their record on the season to 6-7, while the Golden Bears improved to 3-5-1. The win for Kutztown was complete domination across all three periods of action, with the final score being 0-6.
Halfway through the first period, Kutztown opened their scoring with a goal off the stick of Chase Canestra off assists from Luke Repsik and Kolton Bates. Three minutes after Canestra’s goal, Repsik added a goal off an assist from Canestra.
In the second period, the Golden Bears would add another three goals, all off power play opportunities. In total, Ramapo had 16 penalty minutes compared to Kutztown’s eight. Less than one minute into the second frame of action, Joshua Bower scored off an assist from Michael DeRosa.
Four minutes later, the Golden Bears added their fourth goal of the game when Nicholas Leone scored off an assist from Stephen Graney. Kutztown’s third goal of the period was scored with just one minute remaining, as Jackson Novak netted the puck off assists from Bower and Leone.
In the third period, Kutztown scored their sixth and final goal of the game with just two minutes left on the clock, as Leone tallied his second goal and third point of the night off assists from Antonio Anello and Liam O’Neill. In total, Kutztown outshot Ramapo 43-16, including outshooting the Roadrunners in each period individually. Ramapo was never able to get a true offensive opportunity throughout the game, and it showed in the box score.
In goal for the Roadrunners, Alec Rittenhouse tallied 37 saves despite allowing six goals, and Kutztown goalie Colby Rosen saved all 16 shots that came his way, earning him his first shutout of the season in just his second start.
The loss moved the Roadrunners down to third in the Empire Conference, trailing Farmingdale State College and Sacred Heart University. Ramapo will have an opportunity to make up ground in their division, however, with seven games remaining in the month of November, including a pivotal home matchup against the division-leading Farmingdale on Nov. 15.
Up next for the Roadrunners are back-to-back home games on Friday and Saturday evening. First, they’ll face off against Pennsylvania State University Harrisburg, a team that currently sits with the same record as Ramapo. On Saturday, the team will take part in their traditional Veterans Appreciation Game, wearing their camouflage uniforms and taking on Massachusetts Maritime Academy. Maritime is currently 5-5 on the year, meaning both games should be within reach for the Roadrunners.
In total, Ramapo has 14 games remaining on their schedule before the Empire playoffs begin, but only three remaining games against divisional opponents. Each game for the Roadrunners from here on out becomes increasingly important as they try to position themselves for their second Empire title in three years.
wjackso2@ramapo.edu
Featured photo courtesy of @tessapofahlphotos, Instagram
