Jan. 14, 2005

On their first Midwest road trip of the season since last season's ACHA National tournament, the Rams faced off in their first of three road games against nationally-ranked competition. The Western Michigan Mustangs, ranked fifth currently, gave the Rams a challenge right up until the end.

Junior Marina Riva opened the scoring at 16:16 of the first period on a play assisted by senior captain Jennifer Wallace and sophomore Robin Rosselle. After a scoreless, but chippy second period that resulted in 5 penalties between both teams, Western Michigan evened the score at 2:48 of the third, 1-1. Freshman defenceman Ashley Pagliarini answered back by netting her first goal of the game at 7:32 in the second to put the Rams ahead, 2-1. As the Rams held the Mustangs at bay for the majority of the remainder of regulation time, Western Michigan evened the score 2-2 with 3:34 remaining in the game and eventually sent the game into overtime.

Pagliarini answered on a rebound off the face-off, and placed a shot in the top corner to seal the victory for the Rams, 3-2. Jennifer Wallace picked up an assist on the play to finish the game with two points. Goaltender Lynn Pecci turned away 36 of 38 shots she faced for the victory.

The Rams, now 11-1-2 in ACHA play (11-8-2 overall), travel Friday and Saturday for a double-header match-up against #4 Michigan State University in East Lansing, MI. The Spartans will seek revenge from last year's National tournament semi-final game which the Rams won 3-1 to advance to the 2004 National Championship game.