Pittsburgh, Pa. – A third-period short-handed goal by senior forward
Katie Fergus proved to be the difference this afternoon at 84 Lumber Arena, as the
Robert Morris University women's hockey team brushed away Colgate University, 2-1.
Robert Morris (2-4-0, 0-0-0 CHA) received a standout performance from senior goaltender
Courtney Vinet, who made a career-high 37 saves – 29 of which coming in the final 40 minutes. Vinet's previous career-high came on Nov. 8, 2013 when she stopped 32 shots in a home game against No. 9 Mercyhurst.
Fergus' short-handed winner comes nearly eight months after senior captain
Rebecca Vint beat RIT with a third-period, man-down tally on Feb. 14, 2014.
The Colonials struck first six minutes into the contest. Senior assistant captain
Katelyn Scott redirected a shot from junior defenseman
Megan Eady, beating the Colgate (1-2-0, 0-0-0 ECAC) goaltender to make it 1-0. Junior forward
Anissa Gamble was credited with the secondary assist.
The second period was filled with penalties, with nine violations coming in the frame. RMU killed off a five-on-three lasting 1:42 in the early part of the stanza, thanks in part to sophomore defenseman
Mikaela Lowater, who blocked a shot and disrupted numerous Raider passes.
Colgate would eventually strike back a minute after senior defenseman
Kelsey Gunn was booked for tripping.
The Raiders would be assessed a delay of game to begin the third period after a protocol violation. However, the Colonials couldn't take advantage of the rare penalty, and ended finding themselves in a hole when sophomore forward
Maeve Garvey was sent to the box for checking at the 7:07 mark of the frame.
On the second faceoff of the Colgate power-play, sophomore forward
Mackenzie Johnston stole the puck and passed it to senior defenseman
Erin Staniewski. Staniewski then found Fergus breaking towards the offensive zone, placing a perfect pass that gave the senior forward space to work. Fergus didn't let a delayed slashing call deter her, as she rifled a shot that beat the Raider netminder.
Colgate turned up the pressure in the second half of the final stanza, receiving two more power-play opportunities in that timeframe. The last penalty was committed with a minute remaining in the game, which allowed the Raiders to set up a six-on-four attack. The RMU penalty kill stood tall, however, as Gunn and Staniewski each blocked two shots to preserve the victory.
Robert Morris continues non-conference play next weekend as it travels to Canton, N.Y. for a series against St. Lawrence. Faceoff for the first game with the Saints is set for Friday, Oct. 17 at 3:30 p.m. from Appleton Arena.
