Providence, R.I. – The Robert Morris University women's hockey team completed the series sweep of Providence College with a 3-2 victory over the Friars Sunday afternoon in Schneider Arena.
 
This is the first time the Colonials swept a season-opening series since the 2011-12 season.
 
Three Colonials posted multi-point efforts in the win. Redshirt junior Brittany Howard scored two goals in the second period, including the power-play game winner. Sophomore defenseman Maggie LaGue sparked the Colonials scoring streak with a goal on the man advantage, and assisted on Howard's power-play goal. Freshman forward Jaycee Gebhard tallied two assists. Junior Katherine Murphy and sophomore Amber Rennie were credited with one assist apiece. Senior netminder Jessica Dodds made 30 saves, including 11 through a scoreless first period, in her first start of the season.
 
Robert Morris (2-0-0) carried a 3-1 lead into the third after an explosive second period. Just as a Providence (0-3-0) power play expired, the Friars scored at 4:39 to cut the Colonials lead to one goal. RMU fended off another power-play chance for the Friars, and despite not scoring on two late man advantage opportunities, maintained the one-goal lead long enough to skate away with the 3-2 win and series sweep.
 
The Friars opened scoring in the second period after a scoreless first frame. The goal marked Providence's only lead during the two-game series, and RMU did not allow it to last. Robert Morris' power play proved to be dangerous all weekend, and continued to find success, as LaGue put RMU on the board at 12:49 on a man-up opportunity and knotted the game, 1-1.
 
Less than two minutes later, Howard followed up with a power-play goal on assists from Gebhard and LaGue to take control of the score, 2-1.
 
With under one minute remaining in the second period, Murphy found Howard in front of the net and set up an even-strength tally that put the Colonials in front by two heading into the locker room after forty minutes of action.

"On my two goals, the team showed great puck control in the offensive end," recalled Howard after the game. " On the first goal, we battled hard to gain possession of the faceoff. Maggie [LaGue] and Jaycee [Gebhard] drew both players, which left me with an open lane to drive to the net. On the second goal, Murph [Katherine Murphy] drew two forecheckers to the side wall, then dished a pass up the middle. It was a great team effort all weekend."

RMU scored on multiple power-play opportunities for the second straight game, as they were two-for-eight on the day. The Colonials penalty kill successfully killed off four of the Friars' five power play chances.
 
Robert Morris returns to 84 Lumber Arena this weekend for a two-game series against RPI on Friday, Oct. 7 at 7:05 p.m. and Saturday, Oct. 8 at 3:05 p.m. Immediately following Friday night's contest, the team will host its first Skate with the Colonials event of the season, a 30-minute open skate session with the student-athletes. Admission is free with your own skates. Skates can be rented through the Island Sports Center for $3.
 

Power Surge
Robert Morris went a combined 5-for-15 on the man advantage this weekend. They scored multiple power-play goals in both games.
 
Starting Strong
For the first time since the 2011-12 season, head coach Paul Colontino and the Colonials started a season with a series sweep.
 
Early Trends
Four different Colonials recorded one point or more in both games on the weekend: freshman Jaycee Gebhard, redshirt junior Brittany Howard, sophomore Maggie LaGue and sophomore Amber Rennie.
 
 
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