Pittsburgh, Pa. – After a disappointing overtime loss to the Syracuse Orange last evening, the Robert Morris University women's hockey team rebounded in a Halloween matinee and held on to defeat the College Hockey America (CHA) opponent, 2-0, Saturday afternoon at 84 Lumber Arena.
 
The win marks the first CHA victory of the season for the Colonials (5-4-1, 1-1-0 CHA) and the first RMU win over the Orange (4-5-0, 2-1-0) since Nov. 23, 2013.
 
Redshirt sophomore Brittany Howard posted a multi-point effort, her fifth of the season, with a goal and an assist. Following a two-goal game last night, senior Ashley Vesci struck again with an empty netter to secure the RMU victory. Junior Mackenzie Johnston and freshman Maggie LaGue added assists in the win. Junior goaltender Jessica Dodds made 23 saves and recorded her second shutout of the season.
 
Both teams struggled to create quality scoring chances, even on the man-advantage, as RMU and SU went 0-for-6 and 0-for-5 on the power play, respectively. It was a defensive battle from both sides through 52:59 of action until Howard caught a pass from Johnston and took a shot from the slot that whizzed past Syracuse's Jenn Gilligan and put the Colonials ahead, 1-0.
 
Dodds made some key saves late and another outstanding performance by the RMU penalty kill unit helped the Colonials to victory, as Syracuse earned two power play opportunities deep into the third period following the Howard goal.
 
With 2:18 remaining, the Orange called a timeout just as they were about to go on the one-man advantage. Syracuse game-planned and pulled Gilligan in the hopes of giving their squad the best chance to tally a late game-tying goal, but the Colonials defense stood tall, and with one second to go, Vesci launched the puck down ice toward the Orange empty net and sealed the deal for the home squad.
 
The Colonials continue conference action on the road next weekend, as they travel to RIT for a two-game series on Friday, Nov. 6 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 7 at 3 p.m.
 
Quoting Head Coach Paul Colontino
On the difference between today's game and yesterday's high-scoring affair…
Both teams really tightened up defensively. Special teams became a little bit more of a factor because there were more PPs and more PKs for both teams, but defensively I think everybody just tightened up a little bit. There wasn't a whole lot of room out there, whereas the night before, it really seemed like there was a lot of up and down the ice. It was exciting to watch, there were plays all over [yesterday]. Tonight, players were moving, but it was just a lot tighter. There was less room to move and you had people on you when you did [move].
 
On fending off the late Syracuse power plays…
[The RMU penalty kill] did awesome. And that's what this team does. We've seen it right from the start and we just seem to get better and better at it and just adjust and work with each other when we're a man or two men down. They just seem to read off of each other in those scramble situations. It was great to see.
 
 
Record Watch
Junior goaltender Jessica Dodds recorded her second shutout of the season in today's win. She is now tied with Olympic medalist and NWHL netminder Brianne McLaughlin for the RMU all-time career shutout record with eight.
 
#Winning
Brittany Howard's goal in today's game marks her seventh career game-winning tally, which ties her with Sara O'Malley for seventh all-time in career game-winners.
 
Hot Streaks
Senior Ashley Vesci has now posted points in four consecutive games and scored goals in two straight (4-1-5). Junior Mackenzie Johnston has posted points in her last four outings (2-2-4).
 
Killin' It
Robert Morris' penalty kill unit has now killed off 23 consecutive penalties.
 
Close Calls
Including today's game, the last 14 matchups between Robert Morris and Syracuse have been decided by two goals or less.
 
 
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