Box Score Pittsburgh, Pa. - The Robert Morris University women's ice hockey team rang in 2007 in style, defeating Sacred Heart University 4-3 at the RMU Island Sports Center Wednesday night. The win snaps a five game losing streak for the Colonials, who picked up their sixth win of the season.
After suffering a dismal month of December, Robert Morris (6-12-2) got back to their winning ways exploding for four goals in the first period from four different Colonials.
Sophomore Morgan Beikirch (Livonia, N.Y. / Syracuse Stars) started things for the off for the Colonials, scoring off the rebound on the doorstep for the 1-0 lead 1:47 into the game. Less than two minutes later, classmate Kristen Miles (London, Ont. / London Devillettes) put the Colonials up 2-0 off a Vanessa Zwegers (Rochester Hills, Mich. / Belle Tire) assist in front of the cage. Zwegers finished the night off with two assists.
Midway through period, Sophomore Megan Picinic (Cliffside Park, N.J. / Princeton Tigerlillies) extended the score to 3-0 with her ninth goal of the season on the power-play.
After the extra-man goal, Sacred Heart shut-down senior goaltender Stephanie Boulay for the night, replacing her with Kristen Olychuck.
Sacred Heart answered the Colonials three consecutive scores with a power-play goal of their own. Gina Arnone sent a rocket top-shelf on Sophomore Brianne McLaughlin (Sheffield Village, Oh. / Ohio Flame) settling the score at 3-1.
With time running down in the first period, Robert Morris lit the lamp one more time, moving the score to 4-1 thanks to Sophomore Ali Proodian (Canton, Mich. / Honeybaked U-19) and her first goal of the year.
Sacred Heart held the Colonials scoreless through the remaining 40 minutes of hockey. The Pioneers chipped away at the lead, adding a goal in the second and one late in the third with 3:13 left to play.
With under a minute to play in regulation, the Pioneers pulled their keeper for the extra attack, but it proved to be not enough as the score held up for the Robert Morris win.
Brianne McLaughlin finished the game with 24 saves while Olychuck, who played 49:53 of the game, finished with 33.
Robert Morris outshot Sacred Heart 39 to 27 in the game.
The Colonials wrap up their two-game series with Sacred Heart tomorrow January 4 at the RMU Island Sports Center. Game time is scheduled for 1:05 p.m.
