Troy, N.Y. ? The Robert Morris University women's ice hockey team was defeated, 3-1, by the Rensselaer Engineers this afternoon at the Houston Field House in Troy, N.Y. The Colonials (10-13-1) were swept up early as Rensselaer capitalized on two first period goals, helping them achieve the series sweep and advance their record to 11-8-4.

Junior Kristen Miles (London, Ontario / London Devillettes) tallied her fourth goal of the season while freshman Whitney Pappas (Evergreen, Co. / Belle Tire) and junior Samantha Ullrich (St. Louis, Mo. / Team Illinois U-19) picked up assists.

Junior Brianne McLaughlin (Sheffield Village, Oh. / Ohio Flames) registered her ninth game of the season with 30-plus saves, stopping 32 shots in the loss.

Unlike the previous day's game where it took nearly 56 minutes for the first goal to be scored, Rensselaer came out of the gates firing, scoring two goals in the first period. Junior Melanie Guillemette gave the Engineers a 1-0 lead when she tacked in her second goal in as many games just 22 seconds into the frame, followed by a goal from senior Julie Aho to extend the advantage to 2-0 as the period was ending.

Robert Morris cut the lead in half nearing the midway point of the second period when Miles ripped a shot from far circle at 7:21 for a power-play score.

The goal would be quickly erased though when Rensselaer's Melissa Boik connected on a slap shot from the left point to seal the game, 3-1, at the 17:11 mark of the second period.

Despite letting loose 15 shots in the third period, Robert Morris was outshot for the game, 32-21. The Colonials converted 1-of-3 chances on the power-play while Rensselaer was 1-of-2.

Robert Morris returns home to the RMU Island Sports Center this weekend to host College Hockey America foe Wayne State in a two-game series on Friday, Jan. 25 and Saturday, Jan. 26. Both games are scheduled for 7:35 p.m.