Pittsburgh, Pa. ? Nov. 7, 2008 ? The Robert Morris University Colonials put forth a strong and energetic performance against the Providence Friars, but unfortunately were defeated 3-1 on Friday night at the Robert Morris Island Sports Center. The Colonials are now 4-5-0 on the season.  

The Robert Morris Colonials and the Providence Friars traded even shots for the first few minutes of the first period, but on the Friars first power-play opportunity they were able to execute at 8:52. Providence fired off shot after shot and senior goaltender Brianne McLaughlin (Sheffield Village, Ohio / Ohio Flames) was able to hold them off until senior Katy Beach found an opening in the lower left corner of the net for the score. Freshman Kate Bacon and senior Erin More assisted on the play.

In the first period alone, Providence had five power-play advantages to Robert Morris' three, but the resilient Colonial defense was able to hold off their attack, allowing only one goal.  The Friars outshot the Colonials 15 to seven, but McLaughlin's reliable netminding skills held off 14 pucks to Providence goalie Genevieve Lacasse's seven saves.

Despite outshooting the Colonials eight to three, the Providence Friars were held scoreless in the second period until the last minute of play when freshman Laura Veharanta was able to slide the puck past McLaughlin for her eighth goal of the season. Junior Arianna Rigano and freshman Ashley Cottrell contributed the assist.

McLaughlin tallied seven saves in the second period, while Lacasse added three saves. Both teams were held scoreless during power-play opportunities.

The third period looked very similar to the second with both squads' playing excellent defense. The Colonials were able to break the silence of the third period when junior Jacki Gibson (Burlington, Ontario / Burlington Barracudas) took a powerful shot from the deep left side of the ice with a little over a minute left and found the net for the Colonials first goal of the game and Gibson's second goal of the season. Junior Chelsea Walkland (Pittsford, N.Y. / Rochester Edge) added the assist for her second point of the year.

The Colonials immediately pulled their goalie in an attempt to tie things up, but freshman Kate Bacon was able to slip past the Robert Morris defense to make the empty net score.

The Colonial offense came alive in the third period outshooting Providence 18 to seven. However, the Friar defense made things very difficult for Robert Morris, stopping all but one of their shots.

The Friars and the Colonials finished the game with 30 and 28 shots, respectively. McLaughlin and Lacasse each posted 27 saves apiece. Robert Morris was zero for eight on power-play opportunities, while Providence was one for 10 and Robert Morris tallied 31 faceoff wins to the Friars 25.

The Colonials return to the Robert Morris Island Sports Center to host the Providence Friars for the second game of the series tomorrow at 7:35 p.m.