Pittsburgh, Pa. ? The Robert Morris University women's ice hockey team defeated the Brampton Jr. Thunder by a score of 4-2 in an exhibition game Friday night at the RMU Island Sports Center in Pittsburgh, Pa.
Head coach Nate Handrahan's squad controlled most of the game, jumping out to a 3-0 lead in a physical match-up.
The Colonials got on the board early when junior Morgan Beikirch (Livonia, N.Y. / Buffalo Bisons) deflected a shot from classmate Samantha Ullrich (St. Louis, Mo. / Team Illinois U-19) into the back of the net for the first goal of the game 18 seconds into the period.
Robert Morris extended the lead when junior Alissa Dorman (Madison, Wisc. / Madison Capitals) opened up the second period with a power-play goal, tacking in a blocked shot on the door step past Brampton goaltender Kendyl Valenta at 1:29. Ullrich and sophomore Chelsea Walkland (Pittsford, N.Y. / Rochester Edge) helped set up the play.
Midway through the period, Robert Morris struck again with another goal in front of the cage. Junior Kristen Miles (London, Ontario / London Devillettes) knocked what looked to be a saved shot rifled by freshman Sara O'Malley (Guelph, Ontario / Hamilton Hawks) off of the net-minder's pads for the score at 13:19.
Trailing, 3-0, Brampton didn't back down, creeping within one with goals late in the second and third period.
Robert Morris eventually closed the door on the surging Brampton comeback when Senior Maria Olausson (Copenhagen, Denmark / Danish National Team) gave the Colonials that added insurance goal, burying a pass from O'Malley on the right side of the net with 1:23 left in regulation.
Robert Morris out-shot Brampton, 34-11, in the game while converting two of their six chances on the power play.
Junior goaltender Brianne McLaughlin (Sheffield Village, Oh. / Ohio Flames) stood tall in net starting the game, playing 30:27 with four saves and zero goals allowed. Freshman Daneca Butterfield (Kronau Saskatchewan / Notre Dame Hounds) finished the game, playing 29:33 with five saves and two goals allowed.
Robert Morris opens up the regular season, Tuesday, October, 2, when the Colonials host College Hockey America foe and #2-ranked Mercyhurst at the RMU Island Sports Center in Pittsburgh, Pa. Face-off is set for 7:05 p.m.
