Pittsburgh, Pa. ? The Robert Morris University women's ice hockey team had their five-game home unbeaten streak snapped tonight as the Minnesota State Mavericks used a late two-goal push to overcome the Colonials, 2-1, at the RMU Island Sports Center. With the loss, the Colonials fall back to .500 with a 9-9-1 overall record.

In a game ruled by defense early on, both goaltenders held out for nearly 51 minutes without giving up a goal. Junior Brianne McLaughlin (Sheffield Village, Oh. / Ohio Flames) made 28 saves in the loss, including a few from point blank range. Counterpart Britni Kehler followed up the performance, making 21 saves en route to her sixth win of the season.

Both teams played a tough two and a half periods of hockey up until a breaking point in the third period. Junior Kathryn Traynor (Toronto, Ontario / Toronto Jr. Aeros) gave the Colonials a 1-0 lead when she took the puck from an MSU player and worked it around the net for an unassisted wrap-around goal at 9:16. The goal was Traynor's fourth of the year and third in two games.

The Mavericks weren't out it yet as they mounted a comeback less than two minutes later. Kala Buganski provided the team with all the offense they would need, scoring two goals in the span of six minutes. Buganski tied the game at 1-1, ripping a shot over the right shoulder of goaltender McLaughlin at the 7:32 mark, while her second came on the power-play, scoring from the top of the right circle with 1:35 remaining to seal the win.

Minnesota State outshot Robert Morris, 30-22, while going, 1-6, on the power-play. The Colonials were 0-9 on the extra-man advantage.

Robert Morris hosts Minnesota State for game two of the series on Sunday, Dec. 30, at the RMU Island Sports Center. Face-off is scheduled for 1:05 p.m.