Box Score

State College, Pa. – The Robert Morris University (7-2-0 overall, 1-0-0 CHA) women's hockey team treated themselves to a 4-0 victory over Penn State (2-6-1 overall, 0-1-0 CHA) this Halloween evening, as the Colonials kicked off the College Hockey America (CHA) slate of their 2013-14 schedule.

RMU struck first a little more than two minutes into the game. Senior assistant captain Thea Imbrogno (Etobicoke, Ontario / Mississauga Jr. Chiefs) found freshman forward Mackenzie Johnston (Barrie, Ontario / Etobicoke Dolphins) skating down the right side of the ice, and the first-year player would corral Imbrogno's pass before dishing it off to junior forward Katie Fergus (Oakville, Ontario / Burlington Jr. Barracudas). Fergus then deflected the puck past Nittany Lion goaltender Nicole Paniccia, earning her first goal of the season.

Junior forward Rebecca Vint (Caldeon, Ontario / Brampton Junior Thunder) almost made it 2-0 minutes later, as she was alone on a breakaway attempt against Paniccia. Vint looked to have her ninth goal in five games against Penn State, but Paniccia stood tall with a kick save.

However, Vint would get revenge seven minutes into the second period. Johnston stood behind the net with the puck looking for an open teammate, and would find one in junior defenseman Kelsey Gunn (Smith Falls, Ontario / Niagara University). Gunn rifled a shot that was initially saved, but the rebound trickled to Vint, who batted it in for her fourth goal of the season.

The Colonials would extend their lead to 3-0 three minutes later with their highest point-producing line of senior captain Kristen Richards (Toronto, Ontario / Niagara University) and freshmen Brittany Howard (St. Thomas, Ontario / Burlington Jr. Barracudas) and Maeve Garvey (Oakville, Ontario / Burlington Jr. Barracudas). Howard gained the puck off a turnover and skated up the ice quick enough so that RMU had a 3-on-1 advantage. The freshman found Richards on the right side, and the captain would then pass it across the ice to a waiting Garvey. Garvey then slotted the puck in from the left side of the crease for her fifth goal of the season.

With her 10^th assist on the scoring play, Howard took over the national lead for helpers. Howard also leads all freshmen in scoring with 14 points.

Speaking of the freshman forward, she would put the finishing touches on the game with another highlight-reel goal. With less than three minutes remaining, Howard forced a turnover in the RMU offensive zone and caught Paniccia off-balance with a deke, then slotted it home from the right of the crease.

Junior goaltender Courtney Vinet (Camrose, Alberta / Edge School) made her first start since Oct. 18 against then-No. 7/8 Boston University, and rewarded the Colonials with her second career shutout. Vinet made 18 saves on the evening, including some spectacular stops in the third period as Penn State ramped up their offensive pressure.

RMU held a 37 to 18 advantage on shots and killed off both Nittany Lion power play opportunities.

The Colonials search for a second-straight sweep tomorrow as they take on Penn State at 4:00 p.m. from Pegula Ice Arena.