Box Score

Pittsburgh, Pa. – Robert Morris University women's hockey freshman Brittany Howard (St. Thomas, Ontario / Burlington Jr. Barracudas) tallied a career-high four goals this afternoon, pushing the Colonials past Maine, 4-2, in non-conference play.

No. 10 Robert Morris (14-3-1) extended its unbeaten streak to a season-high seven games, and outshot the Black Bears (0-11-3), 48-12.

For the fourth straight game, the Colonials played a scoreless first period. RMU held an 8-2 advantage in shots and killed off a penalty, but couldn't capitalize on their two power play opportunities.

However, for the first time since Nov. 16 against Lindenwood, the Colonials dented the scoreboard first. 8:54 into the second period, junior forward Rebecca Vint (Caldeon, Ontario / Brampton Junior Thunder) carried the puck into the RMU offensive zone on an attack. Vint then passed it across to a waiting Howard, who then back-handed it top-shelf from the right crease for her seventh goal of the season.

Less than three minutes later, the Colonials extended their lead to 2-0 with Howard's second goal. Senior assistant captain Thea Imbrogno (Etobicoke, Ontario / Mississauga Jr. Chiefs) controlled the puck in the offensive zone before passing it off to Vint. Vint then found Howard again, and the freshman would light the lamp from the left crease.

As the goal was announced, Imbrogno received a nice ovation from the fans at 84 Lumber Arena as the secondary assist gave the senior forward the 100^th point of her career. Imbrogno became the second Colonial to reach the 100-point plateau, joining Brianna Delaney (2008-12) who tallied 121 points for her career.

Also on Howard's second goal, Vint also moved in sole possession of third place in the RMU record books for career assists with her 46^th.

Maine cut the Colonial lead in half two minutes into the third period. Jennifer More forced a turnover and found an open Jillian Langtry, who one-timed it home past freshman goaltender Jessica Dodds (London, Ontario / London Jr. Devilettes).

Two minutes later, Howard would push the RMU lead back to three with Abbey Cook of the Black Bears in the box for checking. Imbrogno passed it to senior captain Kristen Richards (Toronto, Ontario / Niagara University), who rifled a shot at Maine goaltender Mariah Fujimagari. The netminder saved it, but the rebounded trickled to Howard, who buried the puck into an open net for the first hat trick of her career.

Howard notched her fourth goal of the afternoon at the 7:47 mark of the final frame. Imbrogno passed it to Vint, who took a shot from the right crease. Fujimagari saved it, but the rebound again trickled to Howard, who back-handed it over the goaltender for her 10^th of the season.

The Black Bears would set the final with less than six minutes remaining in regulation, as Karissa Kirkup scored off a turnover.

Dodds earned her fifth-straight start and improved her record to 11-0-1 with 10 saves.

Howard's hat trick is the first for a Colonial in the regular season, and the first since Vint did it on at Penn State last season. Howard's four-goal outing is third-best in program history, as Vint (Nov. 10, 2012 at Penn State) and Megan Picnic (Oct. 27, 2006 vs. Chatham) hold the record with five goals.

Robert Morris finishes off the 2013 calendar year next weekend with a College Hockey America (CHA) series against RIT. Face-off for Friday's contest with the Tigers is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. from 84 Lumber Arena.