Pittsburgh, Pa. - Nine different Colonials recorded points to help the Robert Morris University women's hockey team complete its preseason schedule with a perfect 3-0 mark as RMU knocked off visiting Windsor in a Saturday afternoon exhibition at the RMU Island Sports Center.
Although Robert Morris once again won by a comfortable margin, the Colonials experienced something new as they trailed for the first time during any of their exhibition matchups when the Lancers got on the board first.
Ally Strickland scored for Windsor at the 6:12 mark of the opening frame to give the visitors an early edge.
Robert Morris didn't wait long to respond, though, as junior defenseman Jamie Joslin (Richmond Hill, Ontario / Aurora Panthers) evened the game after receiving a pass from senior assistant captain Brianna Delaney (Stittsville, Ontario / NCCP Raiders) and firing a shot after sliding into the circle. Sophomore defenseman Brandi Pollock (Virden, Manitoba / Westman Wildcats) registered a secondary assist on the play.
After killing off a Windsor power play, RMU took its first lead of the game when a pair of freshmen hooked up to light the lamp. Katie Fergus (Oakville, Ontario / Burlington Jr. Barracudas) fed Rebecca Vint (Caledon, Ontario / Brampton Junior Thunder), and after the latter made a nifty move to evade a defenseman, her shot rang true, putting RMU up, 2-1, with under four minutes to play in the opening period.
It was beginning to appear as though the second stanza would be scoreless with the Colonials still up 2-1 and time winding down, but rookie Katelyn Scott (Brighton, Mich. / Belle Tire) changed that when she recovered a turnover and raced in on goal, beating the goaltender at the 18:21 mark to extend the Colonial lead.
After two defensemen played a role in RMU's opening goal, the Colonials wrapped up the scoring in similar fashion. Defenseman Kylie St. Louis (Windsor, Ontario / Southwest Wildcats) scored with under 10 minutes to play to put the finishing touches on the Colonial victory. Sophomores Thea Imbrogno (Etobicoke, Ontario / Mississauga Jr. Chiefs) and Anneline Lauziere (St. Thomas, Ontario / London Jr. Devilettes) provided St. Louis with assists on the play.
Sophomore goaltender Meeri Räisänen (Kangsala, Finland / Espoo Blues Finland) kept the Lancers off the board after their initial tally and earned the win in net while playing all 60 minutes.
Robert Morris had a commanding edge in the shot department, 34-14, for the third time in three games and also won the faceoff battle, 27-21. The Colonials tallied multiple power-play goals in all their preseason games as they went 2-for-7 Saturday while holding Windsor to an 0-for-6 mark. RMU held its opposition scoreless on 15 power-play chances during its preseason slate.
Delaney, Fergus, Imbrogno and Vint all tied for the team lead for points during the exhibition contests with five each while St. Louis contributed four.
With its preseason schedule now complete, Robert Morris will look to carry over its momentum when the real games begin next weekend. RMU opens its regular season with four straight at home, the first two of which are Friday, Oct. 7, at 7:05 p.m. and Saturday, Oct. 8, at 2:05 p.m. against Lindenwood. The two meetings mark the first in program history for Robert Morris against the Lions.
