Pittsburgh, Pa. – Despite a stellar defensive effort, the
Robert Morris University women's hockey team fell to No. 4 Quinnipiac University, 3-2, this afternoon from 84 Lumber Arena.
Sophomore goaltender
Jessica Dodds made a career-high 44 saves, while the Robert Morris (6-13-3, 3-5-2 CHA) defense managed to block 30 shots, padding its national lead.
The Colonials came out firing in the opening five minutes, with dangerous shots by forwards
Mackenzie Johnston and
Anissa Gamble turned away by Quinnipiac (19-1-3, 12-1-2 ECAC) netminder Chelsea Laden.
The Bobcats stormed back on the power play as they ripped five shots at Dodds. The best of those attempts came from Megan Fritz-Ward on the doorstep, but the sophomore goaltender made a spectacular glove save to keep the game scoreless.
RMU eventually struck with five minutes remaining in the frame. Sophomore defenseman
Mikaela Lowater fired a shot from the point that was stopped by Laden, but the rebound trickled to Johnston. She then found Gamble on the doorstep, leaving the junior free to slide the puck in for her first goal of the season.
Quinnipiac responded eight minutes into the second period as Shiann Darkangelo lit the lamp off passes from Nicole Kosta and Cydney Roesler.
The Colonials capitalized on their only power play chance of the contest to regain the lead in the third period. Senior assistant captain
Maddie Collias kept the puck alive in the offensive zone before dishing it off to classmate
Rebecca Vint. The captain deked a Bobcat defenseman then threw it across the crease to a waiting Johnston, who buried it into the open net for her sixth goal of the season.
Quinnipiac answered again with less than six minutes remaining in regulation. RMU almost killed off a slashing penalty from senior forward
Katie Fergus, but Taylor Cianfarano managed to light the lamp with a second remaining on the man advantage.
The Bobcats picked up the win in overtime as a pass from Cianfarano across the slot connected with Taryn Baumgardt.
Lowater blocked a team-high six shots on the afternoon, while junior assistant captain
Ashley Vesci knocked down five.
Robert Morris returns to the ice tomorrow afternoon for a rematch against No. 4 Quinnipiac. Opening face-off between the Colonials and Bobcats is set for 3:05 p.m. from 84 Lumber Arena.
