By Eric Czerwonka · Team celebrating with goalie Bobby Kennedy after a 2-1 win over the University of Delaware. (AntonetteOnFilm) Rowan sophomore goalie Bobby Kennedy ab…
Team celebrating with goalie Bobby Kennedy after a 2-1 win over the University of Delaware. (AntonetteOnFilm)
Rowan sophomore goalie Bobby Kennedy absolutely stole the show, stopping 28 of the 29 shots he faced against the University of Delaware with a 2-1 win on a Saturday night in a home opener for the Profs.
Rowan has started the season red hot, winning all three games they’ve played so far. The other two wins came from road games against Millersville and Saint Joseph's.
Kennedy, who didn’t play any games for the Profs in net last season, earned the starting position over the offseason. His confidence throughout the game never wavered, as he just tried to stick to what he’s found consistency in.
“Getting to the rink early and trying to warm up the same way every time is what has been really helping me,” said Kennedy.
But it wasn’t easy for Kennedy to get to where he is now, as he had to battle back from an ACL tear and put tons of work in the offseason, which the team noticed, including assistant coach Ian Kliewe.
“He’s learning how to be consistent…Injuries happen but consistency gets you healthy. Everyone gets to train in the off-season, but consistency gets you better,” said Kliewe.
Although Rowan didn’t strike in the first period with a goal, they certainly looked like the more dominant team on the ice, which carried through all the way until the final buzzer.
But in the second period, the Profs got on the board as freshman Riley Capecci put one in the back of the net with nine minutes left.
Delaware would tie it just minutes later, but Rowan answered back almost immediately with a deflection from senior assistant captain Josh Bianchi.
The defense was able to shut down a lot of the Blue Hens’ opportunities to score, as well as generate some of their own chances on offense. Sophomore Zander Robinson made his presence felt on both ends.
Robinson has kicked off the season strong, with 2 goals and picked up an assist against Delaware.
“We have good chemistry out there right now and a lot of bounces are going our way due to us working hard,” said Robinson. “So I think if we keep our feet moving, we’re gonna keep getting those bounces.”
The group has been clicking well, and it’s clear to see. Robinson credited Kennedy for his performance against Delaware.
“It’s great when you have Bobby behind you stopping all those pucks,” said Robinson. “But for us, we’re just playing desperate right now, making sure we’re laying out for pucks.”
Despite the team being young with 14 freshmen, Kliewe credits this great start to training camp and the team being able to find and discover their identity so early on.
“Still early in the season and a long way to go with a very young team,” said Kliewe. “We’re taking it week by week and I think that is allowing us to stay on task.”
Rowan’s next set of games are coming up this week as they will go on the road to face West Chester University on Sept. 19th, and will face Millersville at home on Sept. 20th.