Pittsburgh, Pa. – The 4-1 margin of victory may deceive those who were not there to witness the Robert Morris University women's hockey team battle it out with the Providence College Friars to earn a series sweep Sunday afternoon in their return to action at 84 Lumber Arena following the holiday break.
 
Today's win over the Friars (6-13-0) puts the Colonials (12-6-4) one win above last season's 11 total victories.
 
Sophomore Jessica Gazzola recorded a career-high three points with a career-best two goals and one assist. Junior Maeve Garvey earned two points with one goal and one assist. Freshman defenseman Kirsten Welsh dished out two assists. Redshirt sophomore Brittany Howard extended her point streak to seven consecutive games with a pivotal penalty shot goal.
 

Both teams had quality scoring chances in a physical second period with the scored tied, 1-1, but neither team was able to get a goal to go until Howard got tripped up on a breakway with three seconds remaining in the frame. Howard was granted a penalty shot and made a nice series of moves to the net where she slipped the puck just underneath Providence goaltender Madison Myers to give the Colonials a 2-1 lead heading into the locker room after 40 minutes of action.
 
Neither team slowed down in the third, but the penalty shot goal helped shift the momentum in favor of the home team and the Colonials continued to fire away at the Providence net. Gazzola cushioned the Colonials' lead with a power-play tally, her second of the day, and Garvey sealed the deal with an empty-net goal with 1:27 to go in the period.
 
The first period featured a combined five power plays and each team converted on one. Gazzola struck first with a top-shelf shot to give the Colonials a 1-0 lead at 5:44 in the game. Providence netted the equalizer with 4:45 remaining in the frame.
 

Both teams broke even in shots, attempting 32 each, but the Colonials remained consistent on the power play and scored on two of seven opportunities. The RMU penalty kill unit held Providence to a 1-for-8 mark on the man advantage.
 
Junior goaltender Jessica Dodds made a combined 63 saves in two games and allowed just two goals on the weekend.
 
RMU will have a bye week before hitting the road for a two-game series at Quinnipiac on Friday, Jan. 15 and Saturday, Jan. 16 in Hamden, Conn.
 
 
Leading the Way
Redshirt sophomore Brittany Howard's goal in today's game increased her season point total to a team-leading 29 (11-18-29) and extended her current point streak to seven games. She leads the Colonials in goals, assists and points. Howard ranks seventh all-time in career points (71) at RMU.
 
Squad Goals
The Colonials have scored three or more goals in seven of their last eight games. RMU's offense ranks 8^th in the nation in goals per game (3.23).
 
Power Up
Robert Morris has recorded one or more power-play goals in 11 of their last 12 games, including the last five straight.
 
Something Special
The Colonials' power play and penalty kill units rank third and seventh in the nation, respectively. Their combined special teams is fifth in the national rankings.
 
 
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