The Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) Red Hawks traveled to M&T Bank Arena in Hamden, Connecticut to take on the No. 6 Quinnipiac University Bobcats on Friday, Feb. 10.

The Red Hawks came into this game on a two-game losing streak and they continued that streak tonight, falling to the Bobcats 2-1.

After being out for three games due to injury, graduate Lexie Adzija returned to the ice and was a part of the starting lineup.

The game was out to a very slow start. Within the first 10 minutes, Quinnipiac only had six shots on goal while RPI had two. With minimal shots on goal and sloppy passes, it looked like both teams were in need of a wake-up.

A stoppage was finally in place 14 minutes into the first period. Sophomore Maya Labad was called for a trip and was sent to the box for two minutes. This was the Red Hawks’ opportunity to capitalize and be the first to score; however, they could not get the puck past graduate goalie Logan Angers.

It came down to the final seconds of the first period and neither team scored a goal. With 27.6 seconds left on the clock, graduate Zoe Boyd sunk the puck into the top right corner of the net and scored. The puck was passed from behind the net by junior Olivia Mobley, who was given the assist.

“That was a key momentum moment,” head coach Cassandra Turner said. “I think they needed a little bit of a reset at points of the game and they did that, they did that for each other. It shows the connectedness of our group.”

Unlike the first period, the second period was off to a rapid start. Each team came out firing and fighting for the puck and playing hard on both ends.

RPI’s goalie, senior Amanda Rampado, made two stunning back-to-back saves. Pucks were fired at her from the Bobcats, but they could not put one in.

As the players made their way to the other end of the ice, a penalty was called on first-year Zoe Uens for interference. The Red Hawks had another chance to score with the Bobcats short one player. The Quinnipiac defense was just too strong for RPI as they still remained scoreless after the power play.

Back-to-back penalties were assessed to RPI following the Uens penalty. At 14:27, junior Asiah Taylor-Walters sent Boyd into the boards hard and was called for boarding. Three minutes later, junior Meagan Byrum was called for another boarding penalty. The Bobcats did not score on either power play.

Quinnipiac made it a two-goal lead with 3:52 remaining in the second period as Labad scored her 16th goal of the season. This fastbreak goal was assisted by Alexa Hoskin and Sadie Peart.

“We work so well together,” said Labad. “We always find each other on the ice.”

RPI did not want this game to be a shutout. With 8:41 left in the third quarter, sophomore Meg Hildner scored her first career goal to put the Red Hawks down by one. Senior Teeghan Dalby and first-year Sabrina Beaudoin assisted this goal.

The Red Hawks decided to pull their goalie with two minutes remaining in the game in hopes of tying the score; however, they were unsuccessful.

The Bobcats lit up Rampado, having 42 shots on goal compared to RPI’s 21. However, Rampado only allowed two goals and made an incredible 40 saves.

“Their goalie played outstanding,” Turner said. “We need that [urgency] to get two on her, she played awesome.”

The final score of this game was 2-1 with the Bobcats on top. RPI will stay on the road as they get set to take on Princeton University tomorrow afternoon at 3:00 p.m. for their last away game of this season.

Quinnipiac will face Union College at M&T Bank Arena tomorrow afternoon at 3:00 p.m. for their last home game of the season.

“They’re really well coached,” Turner said. “We’re expecting them to play hard.”

The Bobcats will be playing in hopes of getting a weekend sweep. At the conclusion of this game, the seniors will be honored.