Box Score

Columbus, Ohio – The Robert Morris University women's hockey team traveled to Columbus, Ohio for a weekday non-conference game with Ohio State this evening. For the second-straight game, junior forward Rebecca Vint (Caldeon, Ontario / Brampton Junior Thunder) notched the winning goal, as the Colonials earned a 2-1 victory at OSU Ice Arena.

No. 10 Robert Morris (13-3-1) outshot the Buckeyes (3-9-2), 26-20, and held the Ohio State power play unit without a goal on five chances.

For the third straight game, the Colonials played in a scoreless first period. RMU had their best scoring opportunity at the 16:14 mark when Sara Schmitt went to the box for hooking, but junior forward Katelyn Scott (Brighton, Mich. / Belle Tire) and Kylie St. Louis (Windsor, Ontario / Southwest Wildcats) both had shots saved by Buckeye goaltender Lisa Steffes.

Also for the third straight game, the Colonials' opponent would strike first. With both Kari Schmitt of Ohio State and senior defenseman Anneline Lauziere (St. Thomas, Ontario / London Jr. Devilettes) in the penalty box, the Buckeyes broke through with a goal from Claudia Kepler five minutes into the period.

RMU answered three and a half minutes later. Senior assistant captain Brandi Pollock (Virden, Manitoba / Westman Wildcats) corralled the puck along the right boards and passed it to senior captain Kristen Richards (Toronto, Ontario / Niagara University) skating towards the blue line. Freshman forward Brittany Howard (St. Thomas, Ontario / Burlington Jr. Barracudas) skated down the right end, as Richards went to work on the Ohio State defense. The senior forward deked the lone defenseman and caught Steffes off-balance, then passed it to Howard, who would bury the puck into an open net for her fifth goal of the season.

The Colonials registered the game-winning goal 4:13 into the final period. Howard skated into the RMU offensive zone from the right end and rifled a shot that was initially saved by Steffes. A scramble ensued in front of the net for a few seconds, then the puck found Vint's stick as the junior batted it in for her ninth goal of the season.

The Buckeyes had an opportunity to tie it up with three minutes remaining, but the Colonial defense stood tall. Freshman goaltender Jessica Dodds (London, Ontario / London Jr. Devilettes) first made a save on a shot from Annie Svedin, and then three more shots were blocked up front. Dodds would make two more saves before the puck finally came out of the Ohio State offensive zone.

With 1:27 remaining in regulation, the Buckeyes would use their timeout and pull their goaltender. Howard went to the penalty box with 50 seconds remaining for a tripping call, but Ohio State could only manage a shot wide on the 6-on-4.

Dodds made 19 saves and moved her unbeaten record to 10-0-1.

With the victory, RMU stayed unbeaten on the road this season as they hold a 6-0-1 record away from 84 Lumber Arena.

The Colonials are back in action on Friday afternoon against Maine. The non-conference game is scheduled to start at 2:05 p.m. from 84 Lumber Arena. Fans who attend the game will make a donation to the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh instead of paying a regular admission fee.