Box Score

Pittsburgh, Pa. – Robert Morris University women's hockey head coach Paul Colontino earned his 50^th career win this afternoon as the Colonials defeated the RIT Tigers in College Hockey America (CHA) play, 4-2.

No. 10 Robert Morris (16-3-1, 8-1-1 CHA) extends its unbeaten streak to nine games and improves its winning streak at 84 Lumber Arena to six games. The Colonials also stayed undefeated on Saturdays (8-0-0) with the victory.

Both goaltenders faced plenty of shots in a scoreless first period. Making her sixth-straight start, freshman netminder Jessica Dodds (London, Ontario / London Jr. Devilettes) made 13 saves in the first 20 minutes, which is the second most the rookie has stopped in a period behind a 14-save third frame in a 3-2 win over Mercyhurst on Nov. 9. Both RMU and RIT (9-9-1, 4-3-1 CHA) earned two power plays in the period, but couldn't capitalize on the man advantage.

The Tigers struck first 2:06 into the second period. With senior captain Kristen Richards (Toronto, Ontario / Niagara University) in the penalty box for interference, Jess Paton gathered a pass from Marissa Maugeri across the crease and batted the puck behind Dodds. The power play goal was the first the Colonials had given up since Nov. 15 vs. Lindenwood, as they were 28-28 on the penalty kill since that game.

RMU would answer 52 seconds later with its own power play goal. Senior defenseman Anneline Lauziere (St. Thomas, Ontario / London Jr. Devilettes) passed it to Richards, and the forward would rifle a shot towards the net. Freshman forward Brittany Howard (St. Thomas, Ontario / Burlington Jr. Barracudas) stationed herself in front of the crease and got a stick on her linemate's shot, redirecting it past Tiger goaltender Ali Binnington for her 12^th goal of the season. By finding the back of the net, Howard extended her goal streak to four straight games, and tallied a point for the fifth straight contest.

RIT took the lead again with 4:45 remaining in the period. Carly Payerl forced a turnover in her own offensive zone, then fired a shot over Dodds' shoulder to light the lamp.

However, the Colonials would draw even once more with a goal at the 17:37 mark of the frame. Similar to the Tigers' last goal, freshman forward Maeve Garvey (Oakville, Ontario / Burlington Jr. Barracudas) forced a turnover and then beat Binnington while skating all alone. The strike was Garvey's first since RMU's 4-0 win on Halloween at Penn State.

The score remained at 2-2 through the first half of the third period, but Garvey struck again with 9:24 remaining in regulation. Just like her previous goal, Garvey forced a turnover by cutting in front of a pass and rifled a shot past Binnington for her seventh goal of the season and the second multi-goal game of her career.

RMU didn't let up on the offensive pressure, as it held a 21-4 shot advantage through the final 20 minutes. With 19 seconds remaining in the game and Binnington pulled in favor of an extra skater, Richards stole the puck at the Colonial offensive blue line and buried it into the open net to set the final score.

Dodds finished off her first semester of college hockey with an unbeaten record of 13-0-1. The freshman stopped 27 of 29 shots.

The sweep of RIT was RMU's first since the 2007-08 season. The Colonials were 0-4-1 in their previous five meetings with the Tigers prior to this weekend.

Robert Morris enters Christmas break with their best first-half record in school history, surpassing the mark of 11-4-2 that was set by the 2011-12 team. The Colonials will return to action on Jan. 4 when they host St. Lawrence in a non-conference matchup. Puck drop for the game against the Saints is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. at 84 Lumber Arena.