Hamden, Conn. – The Robert Morris University women's hockey team put a No. 4-ranked Qunnipiac team to the test this weekend, but suffered a sweep by the Bobcats after a 2-0 shutout loss Saturday afternoon at TD Bank Sports Center.
 
This is the second shutout loss for the Colonials (12-8-4) this season, while the Bobcats (19-1-4) remain undefeated in their last seventeen games.
 
Four Colonials took a team-leading two shots: sophomore Jessica Gazzola, redshirt sophomore Brittany Howard, junior Mackenzie Johnston and junior Rikki Meilleur. Freshman defenseman Maggie LaGue blocked five shots.

It took over 43 minutes for either team to get on the board, and it was the Bobcats who struck first for the second consecutive game. Quinnipiac's Nicole Connery scored a timely first goal of the season 14 seconds into the Bobcats' fourth power play chance of the day to put the home team up, 1-0.
 
In a similar end to last night's game, the Colonials called timeout as they trailed late in the third and added the extra attacker. Unfortunately for Robert Morris, it was Quinnipiac who scored the final goal of the game this time around as the clock wound down. A Bobcats empty-net tally secured their shutout victory and series sweep.
 
Despite a scoreless second period, there was plenty of action throughout the 20-minute frame, including quality scoring chances for both squads. The Colonials had back-to-back power play opportunities to open the period, but could not convert.
 
During a Bobcats power play, Quinnipiac's Nicole Kosta was called for hooking RMU's Mikaela Lowater as she was shooting, and Lowater was granted a penalty shot. Lowater quickly switched from forehand to backhand as she skated toward the net and tried to slide the puck past the right skate of Qunnipiac goaltender Sydney Rossman, but Rossman made the pivotal stop.
 
Junior goaltender Jessica Dodds made some key saves through the first 20 minutes of action to keep the Colonials in the game, including two during the Bobcats' first power play opportunity. Overall, Dodds stopped 25 pucks on the day.
 
Next up, the Colonials return to College Hockey America action with a road trip to Penn State on Friday, Jan. 22 and Saturday, Jan. 23.
 
 
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