Box Score

Syracuse, N.Y. – The Robert Morris University women's hockey team came into this weekend's College Hockey America (CHA) series with Syracuse looking for a program-record 12^th win in their first 15 games. In an evenly played contest, the Colonials tied the Orange, 1-1.

Robert Morris (11-3-1, 5-1-1 CHA) earned their first tie of the season, while Syracuse (6-5-2, 2-1-2 CHA) picked up their second in as many weekends.

The first period featured some good defense from both teams, as there were a total of seven shots on net through the 20 minutes of play. The Colonials and Orange each had two power play opportunities, but nothing would come from either of them.

Syracuse would dent the scoreboard first at the 5:19 mark of the second period. RMU picked up their third power play opportunity of the contest after Allie LaCombe went to the penalty box for cross-checking. Despite the disadvantage, Nicole Ferrara caused a turnover at the blue line and carried the puck into the Orange offensive zone. Ferrara deked a defender and beat freshman goaltender Jessica Dodds (London, Ontario / London Jr. Devilettes) to give Syracuse the early advantage on a short-handed goal.

The Colonials would answer with 5:24 remaining in the period. Senior assistant captain Brandi Pollock (Virden, Manitoba / Westman Wildcats) brought the puck into the RMU offensive zone and passed it to junior forward Katie Fergus (Oakville, Ontario / Burlington Jr. Barracudas). Fergus then dumped it to sophomore forward Ashley Vesci (Pittsburgh, Pa. / Lawrence Academy [Mass.]) skating alone in the middle of the ice, and Vesci rocketed a shot past Orange goaltender Kallie Billadeau for her fourth goal of the season.

Both teams would have their chances in the third period. After a Colonial power play ended 4:28 into the final frame of regulation, senior assistant captain Thea Imbrogno (Etobicoke, Ontario / Mississauga Jr. Chiefs) and junior forward Anissa Gamble (Fredericton, New Brunswick / Burlington Jr. Barracudas) each rifled shots at Billadeau, in which the Orange goaltender saved.

After Gamble's shot, Vesci was called for hitting after the whistle and gave Syracuse their fourth power play chance of the game. The Orange rifled off four shot attempts, but three were blocked by Pollock, junior forward Rebecca Vint (Caldeon, Ontario / Brampton Junior Thunder) and freshman forward Brittany Howard (St. Thomas, Ontario / Burlington Jr. Barracudas), and a fourth was saved by Dodds.

Vesci returned to the ice and the Colonials ramped off their offensive attack. Freshman forward Maeve Garvey (Oakville, Ontario / Burlington Jr. Barracudas) fired three shots, but two were saved by Billadeau and a third was blocked before it reached the Syracuse netminder. The Orange then came back down and sent five pucks at net, but Dodds held strong and stopped them all.

The third period horn indicated that RMU would play in their first overtime game since Oct. 5. In that contest, the Colonials defeated RPI by the score of 3-2, thanks to a late snipe from senior defenseman Kylie St. Louis (Windsor, Ontario / Southwest Wildcats).

St. Louis would get the first shot attempt off in the extra five minute period, but it was blocked by a Syracuse defender. The puck eventually found its way to an open Ferrara on a breakaway, but Dodds stoned her to keep the period going.

Dodds then faced a two-on-one opportunity, but sent that shot away. RMU turned around and created their own two-on-one advantage, but Fergus' shot was saved by Billadeau.

With four seconds remaining in the extra frame, St. Louis was sent to the box for cross-checking. Despite this, Dodds stopped the last shot she saw and preserved the tie.

The Orange came into this evening's contest with 16 power play goals, which tied for the nation lead. The Colonials, however, killed off all six power play opportunities.

Dodds made 25 saves and stayed unbeaten in her career (8-0-1).

Robert Morris returns to the ice tomorrow afternoon as they finish off their two-game series with Syracuse. Puck drop is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. from Tennity Ice Pavilion.