Box Score

TROY, N.Y. – Senior Brianna Delaney netted a pair of goals to lead the Robert Morris University women's hockey team past Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), 4-2, in non-conference action.  With the victory, the Colonials sweep the two-game series and improve to 5-1-0 on the season.  The Engineers slip to 2-4-2 overall.
 
For the second straight night, the Colonials jumped out to the early lead as Delaney (Stittsville, ON/NCCP Raiders) fired a shot under the blocker of RPI goalie Brianna Piper (Oakville, ON/Toronto Jr. Aeros) just 2:45 into the opening period.  She capitalized off a centering pass from the left flank by sophomore Thea Imbrogno (Etobicoke, ON/Mississauga Jr. Chiefs).
 
The Engineers responded less than three minutes later after senior defender Sierra Vadner (Apple Valley, MN/Minnesota Thoroughbreds) chipped the puck from the RPI zone to classmate Laura Guillemette (St. Marie-de-Beauce, PQ) in neutral territory.  Guillemette skated into the Colonials end around one defender to the top of the left circle, where her centering pass deflected off a Robert Morris skate and in to tie it at 5:23.
 
Nearing the end of the frame, the visitors took advantage as junior Dayna Newsom (Oakville, ON/Oakville Ice) connected in front on a pass from the corner by sophomore blueliner Anneline Lauziere (St. Thomas, ON/London Jr. Devilettes) at the 17:11 mark.
 
In the second period, the Colonials continued to add to their advantage when a pile-up in front of the net led to Delaney's second goal of the contest.  After a shot by Lauziere at the point was blocked, junior Cobina Delaney (Stittsville, ON/Ottawa Senators) fired a shot in that was saved by Piper.
 
The RPI netminder was unable to control the rebound as junior winger Kelsey Thomas (Hamilton, ON/Hamilton Hawks) flicked it over to Delaney for the tally at 5:01.
 
Rensselaer answered just over two minutes later on the power play to make it a 3-2 game as junior defender Andie Le Donne (Toronto, ON/Durham Jr. Lightning) sent it over to sophomore Jordan Smelker (Anchorage, AK/Team Alaska 19U).  Smelker then slid through the near circle and roofed a shot over the shoulder of Colonials goalie Kristen DiCiocco (Niagara Falls, ON/Stoney Creek Jr. Sabres) at 7:39.
 
It would be as close as the Engineers would get in the game, despite a strong third period, which saw Rensselaer nearly tie it at 3-all after rookie Eleeza Cox (St. Catharines, ON/Ridley College) almost slid it in past DiCiocco at the right post.  Rensselaer continued to battle and pulled Piper in favor of the extra-attacker with one minute remaining, but RMU rookie Rebecca Vint (Caledon, ON/Brampton Junior Thunder) scored the empty-net tally to seal the victory.
 
DiCiocco picked up the victory, stopping 16 shots on the night, while Piper shouldered the loss, also making 16 saves.
 
Rensselaer returns to action next weekend as it opens ECAC Hockey play at home against Quinnipiac and Princeton on Friday and Saturday, respectively.  Both games begin at 3pm at the Houston Field House.  Robert Morris heads West to battle St. Cloud State for a pair of games on Friday and Saturday.