NEVILLE TOWNSHIP– Robert Morris women’s ice hockey reignited their rivalry with the Syracuse Orange on Friday night. The two teams met for the 56th time in their program’s history, and their first matchup since Robert Morris’ 1-0 victory in the CHA championship game. The Colonials would take home the victory in game one by a score of 4-2.

No love was lost between the two teams as from the first shot it was shown that it would be a physical game as the Orange ran into Robert Morris’ goaltender Emma Gorski.

The Colonials would strike the first five minutes into the game after a turnover it led to Shaylinn Snow all alone on a breakaway who would go five-hole on Syracuse Allie Kelley.

The lead wouldn’t last long as Syracuse would capitalize on the power play after a shot hit the post and off the back of Gorski and into the Colonials net.

Both teams would struggle to stay out of the box as both teams would combine for 10 penalties on the night.

Only a minute after the goal, Morgan Giannone and Janelle Evans would find themselves on a two-on-one for the Colonials and would score to regain the lead for the Colonials.

Following the first 20 minutes, Coach Logan Bittle addressed the back and forth battle that is seen in CHA hockey.

“That’s CHA hockey,” Bittle emphasized. “Every game is going to be a battle, and every game will have multiple highs and lows. Our girls did a great job today when we realized when we were down a little bit, we picked ourselves up.”

The Colonials would extend their lead in the second period as a shot by the CHA’s rookie of the month Alaina Giampietro ripped a shot that went over the goaltender’s glove hand. Giampietro now has goals in five straight games.

Syracuse would try and mount a comeback late as they’d start the third period with another power-play goal. Despite their efforts, the Colonials would add the cherry on top with an empty net goal by Morgan Giannone.

Colonials move to 2-1 in CHA play while Syracuse sits at 0-3. Both teams meet again tomorrow at 3 p.m. The game will be broadcast on Pittsburgh Sports Network.