Wentzville, Mo. – The
Robert Morris University women's hockey team battled back from a 2-0 deficit to pick its first College Hockey America (CHA) win of the season, defeating Lindenwood University, 3-2, this evening from Lindenwood Ice Arena.
Robert Morris (4-8-1, 1-2-0 CHA) came back from two goals down for the first time since Oct. 14, 2011, when Cobina Delaney scored with 1:33 remaining in overtime to beat Minnesota State, 4-3. Lindenwood (2-6-1, 1-1-1 CHA) falls to 5-10-0 against the Colonials all-time.
The Lions struck first with a goal 11:22 into the first period as Katie Erickson kept it herself on a two-on-one opportunity. Lindenwood would double its lead on a power play chance in the second period as Jordyn Constance picked up a loose rebound and slotted it home.
RMU cut the lead in half with 8:50 remaining in the middle frame. Senior captain
Rebecca Vint beat a Lindenwood defenseman in the slot, then rifled a backhanded shot top shelf past Lions goaltender Nicole Hensley for her second goal of the season. Sophomore defenseman
Mikaela Lowater and junior assistant captain
Ashley Vesci were credited with the assists on the tally.
The Colonials earned the tying goal in the third stanza thanks to a well-worked shift by the line of
Natalie Fraser, Mackenzie Johnson, and
Anissa Gamble. Keeping the puck in the RMU offensive zone, Gamble eventually tried a wraparound that was stopped by Hensley. However the rebound trickled to Johnston, who lifted it under the crossbar for her first goal of the season.
The remainder of the period featured some prime opportunities for both teams, but neither of them could manage the winning goal.
After some back-and-forth play to begin the extra frame, the Colonials corralled the puck in their offensive end. Senior forward
Katie Fergus found her classmate
Katelyn Scott skating alone on the blue line, and the assistant captain blasted a shot that found its way through traffic. Fraser set up camp in front of the crease and got her stick on it, redirecting the puck past Hensley for the game-winning goal and the first of her career.
Vint's tally in the second period was the 64th of her career and inched her closer to the program's career point record. She is now tied with Brianna Delaney for second with 121 and is two shy of passing
Thea Imbrogno's mark of 122 for the top spot.
Sophomore goaltender
Jessica Dodds stopped 23 of 25 shots to earn her second win of the season.
Robert Morris looks to build off this exciting win as it meets Lindenwood again tomorrow afternoon. Opening face-off between the Colonials and Lions is set for 4:00 p.m. (EST) at Lindenwood Ice Arena.
