Orono, Maine – The
Robert Morris University women's hockey team picked up its first win of the 2014-15 season, defeating the University of Maine, 1-0, behind a third period goal from sophomore forward
Rikki Meilleur.
Robert Morris (1-3-0, 0-0-0 CHA) avoided its first 0-4 start since 2005-06, which was the program's first season of existence. The Colonials held edges in shots (25-18) and faceoffs (26-23) over Maine (2-1-0, 1-0-0 Hockey East) this afternoon.
Senior goaltender
Courtney Vinet earned the start between the pipes, rewarding the coaching staff with the third shutout of her career. Vinet made 18 saves in the victory, with eight of those coming in the final 20 minutes.
Despite facing two penalty kills in the first period, the Colonials rifled off over twice as many shots as the Black Bears, 9-4. Five of those shots came on the only RMU power-play of the frame as forwards
Jessica Gazzola,
Amanda Pantaleo, and
Katie Fergus peppered Maine goaltender Meghann Treacy during the man advantage.
The second period was a little more evenly played with shots favoring RMU, 8-6. The Colonials went on the penalty kill late in the frame after senior assistant captain
Maddie Collias was booked for tripping, but the Black Bears could only muster one shot on the advantage.
Vinet made her biggest save of the afternoon midway through the last 20 minutes as she stonewalled a Maine breakaway attempt. Minutes later, Meilleur gathered a pass from Fergus on a two-on-one and went top-shelf for the second goal of her career. Freshman forward
Katherine Murphy was credited with the secondary assist.
The Black Bears had a prime opportunity to tie it up with 7:30 remaining as senior defenseman
Kelsey Gunn was sent to the penalty box for interference. However, the RMU penalty kill unit stood tall once more, not allowing a shot before Gunn returned to the ice.
Senior assistant captain
Katelyn Scott became the 32nd player in program history and the second in as many days to play in 100 games. Scott joins
Rebecca Vint and
Maddie Collias as those who topped the century mark this season, along with Fergus, who played in her 100th game in 2013-14.
Robert Morris will look to string together a winning streak next weekend as it returns home to host Colgate. Faceoff for Friday, Oct. 10's contest between the Colonials and Raiders is set for 3:05 p.m. from 84 Lumber Arena.
