Pittsburgh, Pa. – The
Robert Morris University women's hockey team suffered a 5-1 defeat to Ohio State University in non-conference play on Friday evening at 84 Lumber Arena.
Ohio State (8-7-1, 5-6-1 WCHA) got off to a blistering start, potting two goals in the first 4:16 to set the tone against Robert Morris (4-10-3, 1-3-2 CHA).
Junior defenseman
Leah Carlson scored the first goal of her career in the third period, becoming the third different Colonial non-freshman blueliner (
Mikaela Lowater,
Erin Staniewski) to accomplish that feat this season.
The Buckeyes struck 30 seconds in after a turnover in the neutral zone allowed Kayla Sullivan to fire a wrist shot under the crossbar. OSU added a second top-shelf goal less than four minutes later from Danielle Gagne.
After the Buckeyes made it 3-0 midway through the middle frame, RMU looked like it pulled within two on a two-on-one rush. Sophomore forward
Mackenzie Johnston was initially credited with her third goal in as many games off a pass from junior assistant captain
Ashley Vesci, but video review showed that the puck never crossed the goal line.
OSU added two more goals to take a 5-0 lead into the final 20 minutes of play.
Carlson tallied her first goal with 7:03 remaining in the game as senior captain
Rebecca Vint sat in the penalty box for tripping. The junior defenseman gathered a long pass from sophomore goaltender
Jessica Dodds at the left face-off circle and rifled a shot that deflected off a Buckeye defender. The puck trickled through the five-hole of OSU netminder Stacy Danczak, bringing the season-high crowd of 826 to its feet.
Dodds, who picked up her third career assist on Carlson's tally, made 37 saves in the loss.
Robert Morris returns to College Hockey America (CHA) play next weekend as Penn State comes to the Steel City. Opening faceoff for the first meeting between the Colonials and Nittany Lions is set for Friday, Dec. 5 at 3:05 p.m. from 84 Lumber Arena.
