ST. CHARLES, Mo. - Anjelica Diffendal scored the overtime game-winner as RMU defeated Lindenwood 2-1 Friday afternoon to keep the Robert Morris University women's hockey team undefeated on the season.

The win moves the Colonials to 4-0 on the year, who have yet to trail for a single second of hockey through four games. 

Despite a dominant effort in the first, Robert Morris was held off the score sheet in the opening frame for the first time this season Friday, peppering LU goaltender Annika Asplundh with chances to no avail.

Some aggressive forechecking led to extended zone time and a chance on the power-play, but Asplundh was up to the task for the Lions despite a 15-3 disparity in shots on goal. 

Some excellent defensive work by RMU at their own blue line prevented LU from establishing any zone time of their own as the two squads went into the locker rooms scoreless after 20. 

Arielle DeSmet was sharp on a pair of odd-player rushes early in the second, however RMU continued to dictate the pace of play. 

RMU turned the pressure up even higher, however Asplundh kept up her remarkable performance in goal, keeping the puck out on flurry after flurry of chances. 

Despite the pressure for the Colonials, Lindenwood continued to spot the RMU power play looks, and eventually they managed to convert one after Ellie Marcovsky slammed home a loose puck at the side of the goalmouth to break the tie and put RMU up 1-0. 

Undeterred, Lindenwood searched for a pushback, finally finding an answer with 00:31 seconds left in the middle frame after Megan Wagner's shot in front of the net beat DeSmet and ended RMU's shutout streak at just under two hours and fifteen minutes. 

With time and space at a premium in the third, both teams tightened up down low as the Lions and Colonials continued to buzz the net for a dirty goal to break the stalemate. 

Despite a 40-16 shots advantage in regulation, RMU could not crack Asplundh a second time through 60 minutes. 

🚨DIFFFEENNNDDALLLL!!! RMU wins it in OT! pic.twitter.com/WMbhBDG0nj

— RMU Women's Hockey (@RMUWHockey) December 11, 2020

Less than a minute into the extra frame, Diffendal finally found paydirt, taking a long lead pass from Lexi Templeman at the blue line before walking in and wiring a perfect shot over Asplundh's glove for her third goal of the year. 

SCORING PLAYS 

Marcovsky, 10:35, 2nd (PP) - Assists: Fiala, Curlett

Wagner, 19:16, 2nd - Assists: Burt, Hickey

Diffendal, 00:51, OT - Assists: Templeman

QUICK HITS 

RMU starts 4-0 for the first time since the 2017-18 campaign…Colonials had a shutout streak of 2:14:58 ended in the second period…First OT goal of Diffendal's career…RMU has now scored first in all four games this year

QUOTABLES

"We felt like we were playing the type of hockey we wanted to play. We were getting the chances and the shots on goal, so you just have to stay positive.  We knew that with every shot we took we were getting close to the one that was going to find the back of the net." - Head Coach Paul Colontino 

"It's tough winning four straight in this league against anybody, and mentally it can be tough to win four straight against the same opponent. I like the fact that we got a response to a high-pressure situation and came away with the win." - Coach Colontino 

UP NEXT 

The Colonials will not return to action until after the Winter Break in mid-January. Finalized details on the remainder of the season are expected to be released by CHA in the coming weeks.