Pittsburgh, Pa. ? A late goal by junior forward Alissa Dorman (Madison, Wisc. / Madison Capitals) lifted the Robert Morris University women's ice hockey team to a 2-1 victory over Division III opponent and #5-ranked RIT this afternoon at the RMU Island Sports Center. With the win, the Colonials evened their record at 8-8-1, reaching the .500 mark for just the second time this season.

Dorman's goal couldn't have come at a better time, breaking a 1-1 tie with 2:52 left to play in regulation. With heavy traffic in front of the net, senior forward Maria Olausson (Copenhagen, Denmark / Danish National Team) ripped a shot from the left circle at RIT net-minder Sandra Grant, who made the save but couldn't hold on to the rebound as Dorman slipped it between the goalie and the right post for her fourth goal of the season.

Seeing their first action in nearly two weeks, Robert Morris came out of the gates a bit rusty as both teams played a scoreless first period.

RIT crept up on the Colonials midway through the second period, scoring the game's first goal on the extra-man advantage. The Tigers' Isabelle Richard netted her seventh goal of the season, chipping a puck over the head of junior goaltender Brianne McLaughlin (Sheffield Village, Oh. / Ohio Flames) at the 9:26 mark.

The Colonials didn't stay down for long though, matching the Tigers' score with a highlight worthy one of their own. During a delayed penalty call, McLaughlin was pulled from net in favor of an extra-attacker as the team raced up ice. Junior Megan Picinic (Cliffside Park, N.J. / Princeton Tigerlillies) led the rush up the right side of the neutral zone, finding sophomore defenseman Jacki Gibson (Burlington, Ontario / Burlington Barracudas) heading towards net. Gibson took the pass from Picinic and buried it from her knees as she slid past the goal at 16:31.

Despite the scoreless first period, Robert Morris took control of the game in the second period, unleashing 18 of their 36 shots in the frame. RIT was held to 17 shots for the game. McLaughlin earned her sixth victory of the year, marking 16 saves while playing 59:58. RIT's Sandra Grant finished the game with 34 saves.

Robert Morris and RIT meet up again tomorrow for game two of the series. Face-off is scheduled for 4:05 p.m., at the RMU Island Sports Center.