Hamden, Conn. ? The Robert Morris University women's ice hockey team dropped a 2-1 decision to the Quinnipiac Bobcats at the TD Banknorth Sports Center Thursday night.  With the loss, the Colonials are pushed back to the .500 mark with an overall record of 10-10-1, while Quinnipiac snaps a 16-game winless streak and moves their record to 2-12-4.

Junior Morgan Beikirch (Livonia, N.Y. / Buffalo Bison) gave the Colonials a 1-0 lead midway through the first period. Beikirch, who was set up by junior Samantha Ullrich (St. Louis, Mo. / Team Illinois U-19) and senior Maria Olausson (Copenhagen, Denmark / Danish National Team), buried a quick pass from the slot for her third goal of the season on the power-play at 11:18.

The Colonials preserved their 1-0 lead for nearly 28 minutes nearing the end of the second period when the Quinnipiac offense exploded. Behind the firepower of Kelley Davies and Elyse Cole, the Bobcats put away two goals in 57-seconds to take a 2-1 lead into the third period.  Davies tied the game at 1-1 when she received a cross-ice pass at 18:48 while teammate Cole cleaned up a rebound in front of the net at 19:45 for the 2-1 lead and ultimately the win.

Junior Brianne McLaughlin (Sheffield Village, Oh. / Ohio Flames) stopped 30 shots in goal while counterpart Jamie Miller finished with 15 for the game.

Quinnipiac out-shot Robert Morris, 32-16. The Colonials held the advantage on the power-play going 1-6 compared to the Bobcats, 0-6.

The Colonials take on Quinnipiac in game two of the series on Friday, Jan. 3. Face-off is scheduled for 3:00 p.m.