Pittsburgh, Pa. – The
Robert Morris University women's hockey team dropped its second consecutive season opener, falling to Bemidji State University this evening, 5-2, at 84 Lumber Arena.
Robert Morris (0-1, 0-0 CHA) battled back from a 2-0 deficit, but mistakes in the last half of the third period gave the game to Bemidji State (1-0, 0-0 WCHA).
Senior defenseman
Erin Staniewski scored the first goal of her career in the loss, while classmate
Rebecca Vint lit the lamp for the 63rd time in a Colonial uniform.
Sophomore goaltender
Jessica Dodds turned away some prime BSU opportunities in the first period, but an unfortunate rebound found a Beaver stick with 44 seconds left to make it 1-0.
BSU would make extend its lead to 2-0 before RMU struck back. With the Colonials on a power play thanks to six BSU skaters on the ice, Vint redirected a shot from
Brittany Howard and beat Beaver netminder Brittni Mowat. Junior defenseman
Megan Eady picked up the secondary assist on the goal.
Staniewski tied it up eight minutes into the final frame when she gathered a pass from sophomore forward
Maeve Garvey on the power play. The senior defenseman fired a shot that avoided the traffic jam in front of the net and snuck under the crossbar. Senior defenseman
Kelsey Gunn was credited with the secondary assist.
With Howard in the box serving a boarding penalty, BSU scored the game-winner on a power play as a shot from the right circle found an opening over Dodds' left shoulder.
The Beavers would get their final two goals off a breakaway and a two-on-one opportunity.
Dodds made 30 saves in the loss.
Robert Morris looks to bounce back tomorrow afternoon. Faceoff for the series finale is set for 3:05 p.m. from 84 Lumber Arena.
