Syracuse, N.Y.  – The No. 7 Robert Morris University women's hockey team was dealt its first College Hockey America (CHA) setback of the season, as the Colonials fell to the Syracuse Orange, 5-1, Saturday afternoon in Tennity Ice Pavilion.
 
The Colonials (17-3-6, 10-2-2) remain two points ahead of the Orange (10-11-5, 9-3-2) in the CHA ranks, and suffer their third loss of the season overall.
 
Freshman forward Jaycee Gebhard recorded her team-leading 16th goal of the season. Junior forward Jessica Gazzola and sophomore defenseman Kirsten Welsh dealt the assists. Senior goalie Jessica Dodds made 24 saves.
 
Syracuse entered the third period with a significant, three-goal lead, and extended its advantage to four when Robert Morris pulled Dodds at 18:00 and the Orange capitalized with an empty-net goal to secure a 5-1 win. RMU dominated the third period with 15 shots on goal to Syracuse's six, but struggled to find the back of the net.
 
With less than a minute of power-play time remaining from the first period, the Colonials opened the second period with a goal from Gebhard just after the advantage expired. Gebhard's goal tied the game, 1-1, but Syracuse responded with three even-strength goals, including back-to-back scores from junior Stephanie Grossi, to end the second frame in front, 4-1.
 
The Orange reached the board first, when Syracuse junior Emily Costales scored just over four minutes into the opening frame. Both teams had two power-play chances in the first period, but neither could come up with a special teams tally. Through the first 20 minutes of action, the Colonials and the Orange were even in shots on goal, 11-11.
 
Robert Morris and Syracuse ended the game evenly matched in shots on goal with 29 apiece. The Orange defense managed to block 18 shots, while the Colonials blocked one. Both teams were perfect on the penalty kill.
 
Robert Morris will have a bye week next weekend, followed by their return home to host RIT on Friday, Feb. 10 at 2:05 p.m. and Saturday, Feb. 11 at 1:05 p.m. at 84 Lumber Arena.
 
 
Where They Stack Up
The Colonials currently lead the CHA standings by two points, ahead of Syracuse (10-11-5, 9-3-2) and Mercyhurst (10-16-2, 6-7-1).
 
Milestone Watch
Redshirt junior forward Brittany Howard is now tied with Brianna Delaney for third place all-time in individual career points (121). She is two points shy of taking over second place on the career points list. She is also five goals short of improving to second place on the all-time career goals list at RMU.
 
 
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