Box Score

Pittsburgh, Pa. – The Robert Morris University women's hockey team took to the ice for their College Hockey America (CHA) home opener this afternoon against No. 9 Mercyhurst. Despite a solid effort between the pipes from junior goaltender Courtney Vinet (Camrose, Alberta / Edge School), the Colonials' five-game winning streak came to an end, as they fell 2-0 to the nationally-ranked Lakers.

Vinet stopped 32 of 34 shots, including 16 in the second period.

The first period saw stellar goaltending from both netminders, as Vinet and Mercyhurst's Amanda Makela combined to stop 18 shots. Vinet in particular pushed aside four shots in a row near the crease before covering up the puck.

The Lakers broke a scoreless tie 2:10 into the second period. Jenna Dingeldein forced a turnover in her own offensive zone and rifled a shot at Vinet, who made the initial save. The rebound trickled to Emily Janiga, who then lit the lamp to make it 1-0. With 1:31 remaining in the period, Mercyhurst extended that lead to its final tally of 2-0, as Jaclyn Arbour redirected a shot from Christine Bestland to get on the board.

The third period was filled with penalties, as a total of nine players sat in the box.  Between 3:04 and 3:55 alone, there were four skaters sent off with cross-checking, interference, hooking, and checking calls.

Freshman forward Brittany Howard (St. Thomas, Ontario / Burlington Jr. Barracudas) led RMU with five shots on goal, while forwards Maddie Collias (Roseville, Mich. / Belle Tire) and Katie Fergus (Oakville, Ontario / Burlington Jr. Barracudas), and senior defenseman Kylie St. Louis (Windsor, Ontario / Southwest Wildcats) each rifled four shots.

Howard was held without a point for only the second time in her career – the first of which being in the Colonials' season opening loss to RPI. The loss also ends RMU's three-game home winning streak against the Lakers.

The Colonials will look to rebound tomorrow afternoon as they take on Mercyhurst at 3:05 p.m. from 84 Lumber Arena.