Pittsburgh, Pa. – The senior class provided a spark for the Robert Morris University women's hockey team in its 2-1 victory over Mercyhurst to sweep the two-game College Hockey America (CHA)-opening series with the Lakers Saturday afternoon in 84 Lumber Arena.
 
Senior captain Rikki Meilleur and senior forward Mackenzie Johnston each scored their first goal of the season to help the Colonials to their second consecutive win. Freshman forward Aneta Ledlova recorded a career-high two assists. Junior forward Jessica Gazzola chipped in with an assist on the game winner. Senior goaltender Jessica Dodds made a season-high 41 saves.
 
This is the first time since the 2013-14 season and third time under head coach Paul Colontino that the Colonials started their conference season 2-0-0.

 
The Colonials used their speed to set up the game-winning goal late in the third period.
 
"It happened so fast," said Johnston later of the game-winning play. "Jess [Gazzola] made a great play, 'Leddy' [Ledlova] moved me on the pass to drive hard and all of a sudden we're cheering in a group."
 
Robert Morris managed to avoid an unfavorable outcome in the third period as they were faced with back-to-back Lakers power plays, but the Colonials defense buckled down once again. They tabbed 24 blocked shots to record the second straight outing in which RMU posted 20 or more blocks.
 
"I love playing when it's challenging," stated Dodds after the win. "It seems like on the second day, when we're playing any team, they have a little bit more knowledge about how we play, and they structure their game to adapt to ours. It's a little interesting because I think you really see a true match up on that Saturday. I think on Saturday games, the teams come in ready to play knowing each other's strategy."
 
While there were plenty of scoring chances for both teams through the first half of the second period, senior captain Rikki Meilleur finally got one to go for the Colonials. After a scramble for the puck along the boards, Meilleur took a shot from the point that went five-hole on Mercyhurst goaltender Sarah McDonnell to tie the game, 1-1.
 
"I was more worried about getting the puck to the net," Meilleur said of the scoring play. "I saw my winger driving, I was trying to get her the puck."
 
Although the top line has been leading the way for the Colonials so far this season, the past two wins have proven the depth of this RMU roster.
 
"We love that our first line has had an amazing start to the year and is still doing really well on the ice," Meilleur admitted, "but it's nice to get some scoring from other lines. Sometimes [the top line] won't be able to score and we need the other players to do that as well. It's nice to see the other lines scoring some goals and put the other team on their heels."
 
The Colonials had two power-play chances within the first five minutes of the first period, but failed to convert on either opportunity. The Lakers, however, managed to cash in on their first power-play of the game at 12:14,  as Brook Hartwick snuck one past Dodds right in front to give Mercyhurst an early one-goal lead.
 
RMU kept McDonnell busy through the first 20 minutes of action with 10 shots on goal, but the Lakers' defense backed up their net minder with 11 blocked shots.
 
Robert Morris completes a four-game home stand next weekend, when it hosts Syracuse on Friday, Nov. 4 at 7:05 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 5 at 7:05 p.m.
 
 
Rookie Move
For the first time in her collegiate career, freshman Aneta Ledlova recorded a multi-point effort, and posted a point in back-to-back games following her first NCAA goal in yesterday's 2-1 win.
 
Block Party
Robert Morris recorded 20 or more blocked shots for the second consecutive game and third time this season.
 
Shut It Down
For the third time this season, the Colonials limited their opponent to one goal or less.
 
 
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