Dueling Hat Tricks Take Center Stage as Kent State Outguns Robert Morris, Takes 9-6 Victory
- Edward Major II
- Feb 9
- 2 min read
Updated: Feb 14
NEVILLE Twp., Pa — Despite a four-goal effort from senior Devin Rohrich, the Robert Morris Colonials fell to the Kent State Golden Flashes, 9-6, Saturday at the RMU Island Sports Center.
Rohrich’s second goal of the night tied the game 4-4 midway through the second period, but two late-period goals by Bryson Miller — who had a hat trick himself for Kent State — gave the Golden Flashes a 6-4 lead, and one it never relinquished.
Trailing by 2 goals at each intermission, the Colonials showed they were ready for a fight and they knew how to play from behind. Each time Kent State extended the lead, Robert Morris found a way to claw back. Rohrich scored his third goal just 14 seconds into the third period to cut the lead to one, 6-5, but Chaseton Sieling made it a two-goal lead for Kent State soon after. Rohrich added his fourth, but Kornel Kaibas answered for Kent State.
Despite the grit by the Colonials, it never proved to be enough, as Miller completed his own hat trick late in the third period to secure the 9-6 victory for Kent State.
The high-scoring affair started early. After Kent State jumped out to an early lead just 6 minutes in thanks to TJ Avellino, Robert Morris took the lead back with two quick goals by Corbin Ragno and Rohrich’s first of the night. But Kent State ended the period with three straight goals by Kyle Holmes, Cole Bianchin (both Pittsburgh-area natives), and Jules Jardine to make it 4-2. The Golden Flashes almost added another as time expired in the first period when captain Andrew Finnegan drove hard to the net for the attempted buzzer-beater. Robert Morris took exception to the effort and it resulted in fists flying between Finnegan and Kent State forward Bryson Miller. Both received a 2-minute minor for roughing and started the second period in the box.
The 4-on-4 expired and shortly after, Connor Evans brought the Colonials to within a goal before Rohrich tied the game 4-4. But it was the closest RMU ever got, as the Golden Flashes had an answer for everything the Colonials threw at them.
Despite the win, Kent State missed clinching a first-round bye in the CHMA playoffs thanks to a 7-2 John Carroll win over West Virginia earlier Saturday. The Golden Flashes will be the No. 3 seed and will face No. 6 Duquesne in the first round at Hope Gas Ice Pavilion at Mylan Park in Morgantown, West Virginia at 4 p.m. on Friday, February 20.
No. 4 seed West Virginia will play No. 5 Robert Morris at 7 p.m. on Friday, February 20.
IUP and John Carroll are the No. 1 and No. 2 seeds, respectively, and will play the winners of the quarterfinals on Saturday, February 21.
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