Pittsburgh, Pa. ? Nov. 8, 2008 ? The Robert Morris University Colonials got off to a strong start on Saturday evening against the Providence Friars at Clearview Arena, but the Friars had a surge of goals in the second and third period to take the game 5-2. The Colonials are now 4-6-0, while the Friars move to 5-5-1 on the season. Sophomore Sara O'Malley (Guelph, Ontario / Hamilton Hawks) led the squad with one goal and one assist for two points.

Four of the contests seven goals occurred within the first eight minutes of the first period. The Robert Morris University Colonials got the first spark of action, as senior captain Kristen Miles (London, Ontario / London Devilettes) dropped the puck in the net on the Colonials' first shot of the night at 1:30 into the period. The goal marks her first of the season. O'Malley and sophomore Whitney Pappas (Evergreen, Co. / Belle Tire) added the helper.

Providence quickly answered back with a goal of its own when freshman Laura Veharanta netted her ninth goal of the season four minutes after Miles goal. The rookie grabbed the puck off a rebound and found an opening for the score. Junior Jackie Duncan and freshman Ashley Cottrell added the assist.

Less than two minutes later O'Malley grabbed a pass from freshman Brianna Delaney (Stittsville, Ontario / NCCP Raiders) and senior Samantha Ullrich (St. Louis Mo. / Team Illinois U-19) to tap the puck past Providence goalie Genevieve Lacasse to put the Colonials up 2-1. The Friars evened up the score at 2-2 when Veharanta tallied her second score of the night at 8:36.

Senior goalie Brianne McLaughlin (Sheffield Village, Ohio / Ohio Flames) ended the first period with 12 saves, to Lacasse's seven saves.

The Friars quickly took the lead in the second period, as sophomore Alyse Ruff netted her fourth goal of the year 35 seconds into action. The remainder of the second period was held scoreless by both teams, despite aggressive offensive performances by both squads.

The Friars and the Colonials continued to play challenging defense in the third period, as neither team was able to connect on a shot until senior Erin Normore found her own rebound and slid the puck past McLaughlin on her second effort at 14:14.

In a last effort to capture a couple of goals, the Colonials pulled their goalie with a minute left on the clock, but similar to last night's events the Friars were able to find the open net to increase their lead to 5-2. Normore tallied her second goal of the night, with senior Brittany Simpson adding the assist.

Providence outshot the Colonials 40 to 27 and the Friars were one of eight on power-play opportunities, while the Colonials were one of five. McLaughlin ended the game with 35 saves to Lacasse's 25.

The Robert Morris Colonials head to Mellon Arena next week to take on the Niagara Purple Eagles on Friday, Nov. 14 at 5:00 p.m. The squad returns to the RMU Island Sports Center the following day to take on the Purple Eagles in game two of the series at 7:35 p.m.