Box Score

Pittsburgh, Pa. – The Robert Morris University women's hockey team tallied two goals to tie the game in the second period, but No. 7/8 Boston University came back with three unanswered scores to take the first game of this weekend's series, 5-2.

The Colonials outshot the Terriers, 36-28, and won 31 of 53 faceoffs. RMU held a 17-8 edge in third period shots, but couldn't push the puck past goaltender Kerrin Sperry in the final 20 minutes.

Boston first took the lead 12:30 into the game. With senior captain Kristen Richards (Toronto, Ontario / Niagara University) serving a penalty for interference, Sarah Steele fired a puck on net off a pass from Kayla Tutino. Sarah Lefort broke through and deflected the initial shot, tapping it past junior goaltender Courtney Vinet (Camrose, Alberta / Edge School).

The Terriers would extend their lead to two less than three minutes later. After Maddie Elia found Louise Warren in the left faceoff circle, Warren would fire a shot at Vinet in which the netminder first stopped. Warren would push it in on the second attempt to give Boston their first multi-goal lead.

RMU fought back and tied the game in the second period. Junior forward Rebecca Vint (Caledon, Ontario / Brampton Junior Thunder) gathered a pass from classmate Maddie Collias (Roseville, Mich. / Belle Tire) and rifled a shot at Sperry. The Terrier goaltender would make the initial save, but the puck trickled off her padding and to a waiting Thea Imbrogno (Etobicoke, Ontario / Mississauga Jr. Chiefs), who would then light the lamp with her second goal of the season.

The second goal came on a power play opportunity after Lefort went to the box for checking. Freshman forward Brittany Howard (St. Thomas, Ontario / Burlington Jr. Barracudas) skated around until she found senior defenseman Anneline Lauziere (St. Thomas, Ontario / London Jr. Devilettes) hanging out alone behind the right faceoff circle. Lauziere would take a page out of the Mighty Ducks playbook, as she threw a knuckle-puck at the net. Sperry was shielded by one of her own defenders and didn't see the puck until it found the back of the net.

Boston would take back the lead, and take it for good 13:19 into the period. Lefort gathered a pass from Tutino on the left side and back-handed it past Vinet. The Terriers would add another less than three minutes later, as Samantha Sutherland lit the lamp.

The Terriers set the final with 55 seconds left as Taylor Holze gathered a pass from Warren and rattled the cage.

The Colonials were 1-4 on the power play and 2-3 on the penalty kill. Vinet made 23 saves on the evening.

RMU looks to win the rubber match against Boston tomorrow afternoon. Faceoff is scheduled for 2:05 p.m. at 84 Lumber Arena.