Box Score

Hamden, Conn. – The Robert Morris University women's hockey team extended its unbeaten streak to 12 games as the Colonials skated to a 1-1 tie with the Quinnipiac Bobcats this evening.

No. 8 Robert Morris (18-3-2, 8-1-1 CHA) saw its seven-game winning streak come to an end, but stayed unbeaten in overtime this season (1-0-2). No. 10 Quinnipiac (16-3-6, 7-3-4 ECAC) earned its nation-leading sixth tie of 2013-14.

The first period went by fairly quickly, with just one penalty called in the first 20 minutes. The Colonials gained a power play after Nicole Connery went to the penalty box for checking with 5:04 remaining, but the unit couldn't capitalize on the opportunity.

The next 20 minutes were also scoreless, but both teams had their chances.

RMU picked up its second power play when Emma Woods was called for interference. Freshman forward Brittany Howard (St. Thomas, Ontario / Burlington Jr. Barracudas) fired a shot off the face-off that was blocked up front, then junior forward Katie Fergus (Oakville, Ontario / Burlington Jr. Barracudas) had a shot saved before Woods returned to the ice.

Quinnipiac gained its first man advantage nine minutes into the period. Senior defenseman Kylie St. Louis (Windsor, Ontario / Southwest Wildcats) was sent to the box for interference and the Bobcats immediately went after the Colonial penalty kill unit, rifling off a shot that junior defenseman Kelsey Gunn (Smith Falls, Ontario / Niagara University) blocked, then shooting two more that freshman Jessica Dodds (London, Ontario / London Jr. Devilettes) saved.

Six and a half minutes later, St. Louis was sent back to the penalty box for the same crime. Dodds held strong once again, making three saves on the penalty kill before the senior defenseman returned to the ice.

St. Louis' return to the ice immediately created one of RMU's best chances, as the Colonials found themselves on a two-on-one. Sophomore forward Ashley Vesci (Pittsburgh, Pa. / Lawrence Academy [Mass.]) gathered the puck and fired a shot, but Bobcat goaltender Chelsea Laden skated outside the crease to make the save.

That save created an opportunity for Quinnipiac as Kelly Babstock skated up the ice on a two-on-one. Before she could attempt a shot, sophomore defenseman Erin Staniewski (Strathroy, Ontario / London Jr. Devilettes) tripped the Bobcat forward up, giving the home team its third power play chance of the period. However, just like the others, the RMU penalty kill unit held strong and didn't allow a goal.

Quinnipiac didn't take long to break through in the third period. With some help from a screen up front, Cydney Roesler rifled a shot that found the back of net just 18 seconds into the frame.

Junior Rebecca Vint (Caldeon, Ontario / Brampton Junior Thunder) almost quickly answered on a two-on-one, but her shot attempt was blocked by a Bobcat defender.

The Colonials fought off two penalties to keep it at 1-0 when Vesci was called for holding at the 5:21 mark and Fergus was caught slashing with nine and a half minutes remaining in regulation. The two penalty kills gave RMU some momentum; something it would convert on with less than five minutes remaining.

With 4:28 left in the third period and Quinnipiac's Morgan Fritz-Ward sitting in the penalty box for interference, senior defenseman Anneline Lauziere (St. Thomas, Ontario / London Jr. Devilettes) lit the lamp off a pass from Vint. The equalizer gave Lauziere her third goal of the season and moved Vint to 99 career points with the helper. Senior captain Kristen Richards (Toronto, Ontario / Niagara University) was credited with the secondary assist.

Vint picked up a penalty with 1:30 remaining in regulation, but that penalty trickled into overtime as the Bobcats couldn't capitalize on the man advantage. After returning to the ice, the junior forward then almost ended the game as she dangled the puck through traffic, but her shot attempted was blocked away from the cage.

Dodds stood tall once again in the five minute extra period, making four saves in total. The last of her career-high 36 saves was maybe her best, as she got a pad on a deflection up front to keep the game going.

Robert Morris finishes up its non-conference slate tomorrow afternoon with Quinnipiac in the rubber match between the two teams. Tomorrow's face-off is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. from TD Bank Sports Center.