Pittsburgh, Pa. ? Nov. 14, 2008 ? For the first time in the program's history, the Robert Morris University women competed at Mellon Arena in the Pittsburgh College Hockey Showcase and put on a remarkable showing against conference foe Niagara, winning 2-1 on Friday evening. With the game looking to go into overtime, the Colonials surged past the Niagara Purple Eagles in the last minute of the contest to break the 1-1 deadlock and earn their third consecutive conference win and maintain their undefeated CHA record.

For the first time this season, the Colonials played even strength hockey for the entire first period, as neither Niagara nor Robert Morris was called on a penalty. The Purple Eagles and the Robert Morris Colonials shared time on the attack, but both teams played strong defense to withhold the score for a majority of the first. Niagara was able to get the first mark on the board at 15:22 when senior Ashley Riggs stole the puck from a Colonial player and fired a shot that bounced off the post and into the net for the unassisted score.

At the end of the first period, Niagara outshot Robert Morris nine to five, with senior RMU goalie Brianne McLaughlin (Sheffield Village, Ohio / Ohio Flames) tallying eight saves and Niagara goalie Jenni Bauer stopping five shots.

The Colonial offense came to life in the second period, as they were able to connect on their first power-play opportunity of the game when freshman Brianna Delaney (Stittsville, Ontario / NCCP Raiders) took a pass from sophomore Whitney Pappas (Evergreen, Co. / Belle Tire) and senior Samantha Ullrich (St. Louis, Mo. / Team Illinois U-19) and found an opening in the Niagara net at 5:15 to knot the score 1-1. The goal marks her fifth of the season.

The Robert Morris defense continued to dominate, as they were able to protect the Colonial cage from the Purple Eagles during three back-to-back penalties at 11:16, 14:50 and 17:32. However, Niagara's defense also stepped up to the plate, withholding the Colonials from scoring a second time in the period. McLaughlin added 15 more saves to her collection to Bauer's nine.

In the final period, neither team was willing to allow a goal, until the very last minute of action. Senior forward Morgan Beikirch (Livonia, N.Y. / Buffalo Bison) dangled the puck into an impressive backhanded shot that landed in the top shelf with only forty seconds left in the game. The goal is Beikirch's second of the season and first game-winning goal of the season. Junior forward Chelsea Walkland (Pittsford, N.Y. / Rochester Edge) and sophomore forward Sara O'Malley (Guelph, Ontario / Hamilton Hawks) contributed the assists.

McLaughlin ended the game with 38 saves to Bauer's 20. To date, 38 saves is McLaughlin's third best performance of the season. Niagara outshot the Colonials 39 to 22, but the Colonials were able to convert on one of three power-play opportunities, while Niagara was zero for four.