Moon Township, Pa. - The Robert Morris University field hockey team won its first game of the year as the Colonials pulled out a stunning 4-3 shootout victory Saturday afternoon over Appalachian State at Joe Walton Stadium.

Only 39 seconds into the game, Appalachian State's Christine Zanowicz scored after getting past the Robert Morris defense on a breakaway. However, Robert Morris would answer when Julie Gabriel (Kraainem, Belgium / Lycee Emil Jacqmain) scored with zero seconds remaining at the end of the first period.

The second period started quickly when senior Sam Lawless (St. Louis, Mo. / Lafayette) netted a goal to make the score 2-1 at the 1:39 mark. Appalachian State then tied the game at two when Amanda Young slipped the ball past goalie Stephanie Seeley (Louisville, Ky. / Ballard) midway through the second period.

With 16 minutes left in regulation, Lawless connected with Jessica Charles (Lancaster, Pa. / Lampeter-Strasburg) to net a goal, taking a 3-2 lead. The lead would not last for long, as Appalachian State's Jeanette Miers tied the score at three just four minutes later.

Regulation was then followed by two sudden death overtime periods. Robert Morris held strong defensively lead by the efforts of Laura White (Pennsauken, N.J. / Collingswood) who provided two key defensive saves.

At the conclusion of the two overtime periods, each time selected five shooters to each take one penalty stroke in the shootout. Robert Morris would shoot first as freshman Hayley Botha (Johannesburg, South Africa / St. Mary's) sailed a shot above the goalie and into the net.

Seeley, who made four saves on the day, stopped Appalachian State's first penalty stroke attempt by Nicole Morgan. The next shooter for the Colonials was Chantele Crow (Dauphin, Pa. / Central Dauphin) who easily scored over the shoulder of the ASU goalie.  Appalachian State converted on their second shot, but Robert Morris held their lead as Gabriel scored and made it a 3-1 lead for the Colonials. The next shooter for Appalachian State, Jessie Thompson, missed her attempt. Sam Hayden (Louisville, Ky. / Assumption) then missed her shot but the Colonial's shootout lead stayed at 3-1. Finally, Seeley closed it out as she shut down Ashley Patterson for the win.

The Colonials now start with a .500 record for the first time in school history. Leading Robert Morris to the victory was Lawless, who tallied one goal and one assist, while White came up with two crucial defensive saves.

Robert Morris faces off against Missouri State on Monday, Sept., 1 at Noon at Joe Walton Stadium.