Box Score Syracuse, N.Y. - Freshman Rebecca Vint (Caledon, Ontario / Brampton Junior Thunder) broke the Colonials' single-season record for points in dramatic fashion as she tallied the game-winning goal to help the Robert Morris University women's hockey team to a 4-3 victory over Syracuse in a seesaw College Hockey America (CHA) contest Friday evening at Tennity Ice Pavilion.
Vint's score marked her 33rd point of the 2011-12 campaign, moving her one clear of the total that senior assistant captain Brianna Delaney (Stittsville, Ontario / NCCP Raiders) notched during her rookie season of 2008-09. Vint's team-leading fourth GWG of the season also pulled her within one of matching the top spot in single-season goals at RMU. The freshman previously broke the Colonials' longest consecutive point streak, resetting the record at 12, and has recorded nine multi-point outings for the season.
Vint's record-breaking performance helped Robert Morris extend its program record for victories to 15 as the Colonials also picked up their ninth true road win of the season. RMU assured itself of its first winning regular season in program history Friday and has also displayed an ability to win close contests as it claimed its seventh one-goal triumph of the season.
Robert Morris trailed 1-0 after 20 minutes of play, but the Colonials erupted for four second-period scores courtesy of four distinct skaters in a span of fewer than 13 minutes to take control of the affair. It marked the fifth-consecutive game between Syracuse and Robert Morris in which the Colonials trailed in the second period or later but produced a comeback to earn at least one point.
Junior defenseman Jamie Joslin (Richmond Hill, Ontario / Aurora Panthers) registered the goal that put Robert Morris ahead for good to collect her 13th point of the season. It was Joslin's 10th-career goal, which moved her into a tie for first in all-time goals by a defenseman at RMU.
Freshman Maddie Collias (Roseville, Mich. / Belle Tire) was the first goal-scorer of the night for RMU. With the tally, she notched a point in her third straight game and goals in back-to-back contests for the first time this season. All four of Collias' points have come within the past six games.
Junior Kelsey Thomas (Hamilton, Ontario / Hamilton Hawks) was the final member of the quartet of RMU scorers and registered her first-career 20-point season in the process. Thomas' tally also moved her into a tie for eighth in career goals for the Colonials.
Robert Morris killed off an early Syracuse penalty without allowing a single shot, but the Orange were not discouraged as they struck first at the 11:14 mark of the opening period. The Syracuse score sent the Colonials into a frenzy in search of the equalizer as RMU took 15 of the period's final 17 shot attempts, but it was to no avail.
The theme of the second stanza was the RMU offense although its penalty-kill unit also was noteworthy. Robert Morris faced three Orange power plays in the second, each two minutes in length, but the Colonials killed off each chance while conceding just a lone shot on every advantage. After each successful kill, RMU capitalized on its momentum by scoring a goal within the ensuing 66 seconds.
Collias and Thomas struck at the 3:47 and 6:38 marks to give RMU the lead although the Orange would momentarily halt the Colonial onslaught as they knotted the game at two apiece right near the midpoint.
Joslin responded fewer than four minutes later to push RMU back ahead and Vint followed suit with 3:27 to play in the frame.
It was the second time this season that RMU netted four scores in a period as it also accomplished the feat in its season-opener Oct. 7 although it was the first time it pulled the trick on the road in over three years.
The third frame featured much less offense as the teams combined for only eight shots in the period. Syracuse received an early power play and took advantage when Margot Scharfe pulled the Orange within one 3:56 into the action.
After showcasing its offensive prowess in the second, Robert Morris proved able to hold a one-goal lead down the stretch as it allowed just two Syracuse shots over the final 16 minutes when the game hung in the balance. The Orange pulled their goalie and called a timeout within the final 70 seconds of regulation, but RMU remained resolute and claimed the win.
Freshman Katie Fergus (Oakville, Ontario / Burlington Jr. Barracudas) assisted on Collias' goal to record her 15th point overall and her third three-game point stretch of the season.
Junior Cobina Delaney (Stittsville, Ontario / Ottawa Senators) added a helper on Thomas' score to not only reset her career high in assists (12) but also move among the top 10 all-time at RMU in that category.
Sophomore defenseman Brandi Pollock (Virden, Manitoba / Westman Wildcats) assisted on her fellow defensive partner's goal to register points in back-to-back games for the first time in her career.
After equaling the school record for team power-play scores in a season Monday, the 2011-12 RMU squad claimed sole possession of that distinction with its two man-advantage goals Friday, moving its now record total to 31.
Robert Morris outshot Syracuse, 26-16, for the game and was not outshot in any of the periods.
The Colonials remained in second place in the league with the win, and continue to trail Mercyhurst by two points after Friday's action. RMU will look to remain on the Lakers' heels as it concludes its season series with Syracuse in a Saturday matinee. The opening puck drop is set for 2:05 p.m.