Pittsburgh, Pa. –  An aggressive power-play and defensive production helped the Robert Morris University women's hockey team to a 2-0 victory over the Toronto Jr. Aeros in exhibition action on Friday night in 84 Lumber Arena.
 
Senior defenseman Mikaela Lowater led the way with two power-play points on a goal and an assist. Sophomore defenseman Maggie LaGue tallied the first goal of the season for the Colonials, with help from redshirt junior Brittany Howard. Junior forward and former Toronto Jr. Aero Amanda Pantaleo added an assist on LaGue's goal, while freshman Jaycee Gebhard posted her first collegiate point with a secondary assist on the Lowater tally.
 
All three Robert Morris goaltenders saw action in net. Senior Jessica Dodds and junior Elijah Milne-Price combined for eight saves through the first forty minutes of action. Sophomore netminder Lauren Bailey made eight stops in the third period to secure the shutout victory.
 
"For our first game, I really liked our first period," said head coach Paul Colontino. "As the game went on, it did get a little crazy, and we found a way to get through, which was huge. The truth is, it is early on. You can't use that as an excuse, being your first game. But we had good points, which was nice to see when we were under fire. I think the five-on-three penalty kill was a great example. We haven't had much time to practice the five-on-three kill this year, but the players settled in, found a way and did their job."
 

The Colonials earned two early power-play opportunities in the first period, and LaGue cashed in on the second special teams situation on a tip-in.
 
Robert Morris took just one shot over two power-play chances in the second, but it was all the Colonials needed to seal the deal. Howard found an open lane to the net and set up a perfect pass to Lowater, who slid the puck right under the pad of Aeros goaltender Kayla Wormsbecher.
 
The Aeros peppered Bailey with a game-high eight shots in the third, including four on the power-play, but the second-year goalie held strong in net and fended off Toronto's final push.
 
"We have to build our stamina, continue getting into better on-ice shape, and we have to play with more poise so we're not expending an extra amount of energy for no reason," Colontino reflected after the game. "That just comes with chemistry, playing better as a team, and getting more experience with each other."
 
Robert Morris officially opens the 2016-17 season on the road with a two-game series at Providence on Saturday, Oct. 1 at 2 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 2 at 12:30 p.m.
 
 
First Things First
Sophomore defenseman Maggie LaGue scored the first goal of the 2016-17 season.
 
Rookie Move
For the second consecutive season, a freshman recorded a point in the first game of the season. First-year forward Jaycee Gebhard tallied her first collegiate point tonight in her first outing with the Colonials. Last season, forward Sarah Quaranta and defenseman Kirsten Welsh each posted an assist in their RMU debut.
 
 
Follow RMU Women's Hockey:
@RMUWHockey
@rmu_w_hockey
Robert Morris University Athletics