Box Score

Erie, Pa. – Robert Morris University women's hockey junior forward Rebecca Vint (Caledon, Ontario / Brampton Junior Thunder) broke Brianna Delaney's (2008-12) school record for career goals this afternoon with a hat trick in the Colonials' 5-3 loss to in-state rival Mercyhurst.

No. 8/7 Robert Morris (20-4-2, 9-2-1 CHA) saw its nation-best 14-game unbeaten streak snapped by Mercyhurst (15-7-3, 8-3-1 CHA).

The Lakers took control of the first period and ended up with two goals to show for it. After junior defenseman Kelsey Gunn (Smith Falls, Ontario / Niagara University) was sent to the box for body-checking midway through the opening frame, Christie Cicero fired a slap-shot from the left circle that trickled past freshman goaltender Jessica Dodds (London, Ontario / London Jr. Devilettes).

Mercyhurst made it 2-0 near the end of the period when Emily Janiga gathered a pass in front of the crease and pushed it past Dodds. Prior to today, the Colonials hadn't allowed two goals in the first 20 minutes of a game since Oct. 26, 2013 against Vermont.

RMU pulled within one midway through the second period. On a 4-on-3 power play, Vint gathered the puck on the left side of the crease from senior captain Kristen Richards (Toronto, Ontario / Niagara University) and snuck it past Laker goaltender Amanda Makela.

Mercyhurst would answer with two goals to make it 4-1. With 5:06 left in the frame, Shelby Bram took advantage of a 5-on-3 by chipping one in from the right side of the crease. 24 seconds later, Kaleigh Chippy fired a slap-shot from the right circle on a 5-on-4 to put the Lakers up three.

Vint answered with her record-breaking 54^th career goal about a minute and a half later. With Jenna Dingeldein in the box for tripping, senior assistant captain Thea Imbrogno (Etobicoke, Ontario / Mississauga Jr. Chiefs) gathered the puck and passed it up the ice to her junior linemate. Vint carried the puck down the left side, avoiding two defenders, and fired a shot on net that was saved by Makela. However, the rebound trickled right back to her, and she'd make the most of her second chance to bring the Colonials within two.

The Lakers made it a three-goal game once more just 10 seconds into third period when Chippy lit the lamp for the second time.
Vint pulled RMU within two again four minutes into the final frame. The junior forward corralled a pass from Imbrogno in the right circle and lofted a shot that snuck over Makela's left shoulder.

Despite making 31 saves, Dodds suffered the first loss of her collegiate career.

Vint now has 17 goals on the season and 55 for her career.

Robert Morris completes a six-game road trip next weekend in the Show Me State. The Colonials take on Lindenwood at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 31.