Pittsburgh, Pa. - The Robert Morris University women's hockey team opened the 2012-13 season with victory over the Yale Bulldogs, 2-0 Friday evening at the Robert Morris Island Sports Center.  With the win, the Colonials continued their record of strong starts as they have now won their season opener for the past three straight years.

Colonial newcomer Kristen Richards (Toronto, Ontario / Niagara University) scored the first goal of the 2012-13 campaign while junior defenseman Kylie St. Louis (Windsor, Ontario / Southwest Wildcats) tacked on the second score.

After two hard fought, scoreless periods, the Colonials would end the goal drought just 1:03 into the third period.  Freshman forward Ashley Vesci (Pittsburgh, Pa. / Lawrence Academy) caused a Yale turnover at center ice that found the stick of junior assistant captain Thea Imbrogno (Etobicoke, Ontario / Mississauga Jr. Chiefs).  Imbrogno would then dish the puck to a breaking Richards who found the net to register her first goal in a Robert Morris uniform.

With just 8:24 left in the game St. Louis would add cushion to the RMU lead.  Just 26 seconds after a Colonial power play opportunity, defenseman Anneline Lauziere (St. Thomas, Ontario / London Jr. Devilettes) sent a pass to fellow defender St. Louis in front of the net.  St. Louis would put home a superb backhanded shot to tally her first goal of her junior campaign.  Senior captain Dayna Newsom (Oakville, Ontario / Oakville Ice) would receive the secondary assist on the St. Louis score.

RMU carried over its shot count domination from the preseason as they outshot the Bulldogs 39-20.  The Colonial penalty kill also remained successful as they killed off Yale's four power play chances. 

Senior netminder Kristen DiCiocco (Niagara Falls, Ontario / Stoney Creek Jr. Sabres), the 2012 CHA Goaltending Trophy recipient, earned the shutout for RMU.  DiCiocco recorded 20 saves on the evening, stopping a game-high nine shots in the second period.  With the win, DiCiocco has earned the fourth shutout of her career.  She is now only four shutouts shy of tying assistant coach Brianne McLaughlin's program record of eight career shutouts.

With the win, the Colonials now own an overall record of 2-0-0 against the Bulldogs.

Robert Morris will go for another win Saturday afternoon as it hosts another Ivy League member, Princeton University.  The Colonials will look for their second straight starting at 4:05 p.m.

Post Game Interview with Head Coach Paul Colontino