PITTSBURGH– After getting shutout in last Saturday’s game against Syracuse University, (7-15-1, 6-3-1 CHA) the Robert Morris University women’s hockey (14-9-2, 8-3 CHA) got back on track Friday evening with a 3-0 win over Lindenwood University (4-15-3, 2-9 CHA). Freshman goaltender Raygan Kirk stopped all 27 shots she faced for her third career shutout, while senior forward Jaycee Gebhard moved just one point away from tying the all-time point lead in RMU history.

RMU generated a plethora of scoring chances in the first, piling twenty shots on net in the opening frame. Unfortunately, all too similar to last weekend’s loss to Syracuse, no pucks were finding the back of the net.

“We grinded through the first period generating some great opportunities. To their goalie’s credit, she played great and made some big saves when she needed to.” said head coach Paul Colontino of the first two periods of play. “But to our credit, we came out of the locker room and stuck to our system, took advantage of a PP and then we were able to get another one five-on-five.”

The first goal of the game came on the aforementioned powerplay as Sarah Lecavalier’s shot found the back of the net. Michaela Boyle and Jaycee Gebhard got the assists on this goal and both Lecavalier and Gebhard went on to have two-point nights.

Just moments later, the Colonials crashed into the front of the net for a two-goal lead. Natalie Marcuzzi seemed to be the only player on the ice who knew where the puck was and slipped it in the empty cage.

The goals throughout the match were not the prettiest goals by any means, Lecavalier’s goal came off a shot from the point and Marcuzzi’s goal was after a net mouth scramble.

“We did [a lot] of battling throughout the week to try and keep our legs moving. Just to try and test us so that we can prove to ourselves. We’ve got to get to those dirty areas to get pucks on net, not all of them are going to be pretty,” said Lecavalier on this week’s practices and trying to grind for offense.

RMU opened the third period with another goal, and this one, unlike the others, was a beauty. Gebhard found her new linemate, Kyleigh Hanzlik, flying through the zone and Hanzlik proceeded to roof her shot in the top-left corner.

The Colonials would close out the period with a solid 3-0 team effort win over Lindenwood.

RMU went on to get two CHA points out of this victory giving them 16 total and slightly separating them with Mercyhurst University (12-8-4, 6-2-2 CHA) who has 14. RIT (9-13-2, 2-8 CHA) and Mercyhurst battle it out later today at 6:00 pm which could possibly change this statistic.

Sarah “Crash” Lecavalier, when asked about her mentality towards the rest of the CHA, said, “For myself, I try to not focus on what’s going on with other teams. The last half here games are tight, teams want to win, and every point is up for grabs and the standings are close. I try not to keep an eye on it especially going into a weekend but we know that every game is going to matter when it comes down to the home-stretch here.”

The Colonials are back in action tomorrow for the second half of their Lindenwood series. Puck drops at 1:05 pm at the Island Sports Center, and Jaycee Gebhard will attempt to score the last two points that will make her the all-time point leader in RMU women’s hockey history.