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TROY, N.Y. - Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) jumped out to an early lead but Robert Morris University scored late to earn a 1-1 tie in a non-league women's hockey game at the Houston Field House. The homestanding Engineers are now 2-8-2, while the Colonials, 6-2-2.

RPI netminder Kelly O'Brien (Sussex, WI / Madison Capitals) finished with 19 saves on 20 shots, including a pad save with under 10 seconds left and RMU on the power play. Senior Kristen DiCiocco (Brighton, MI / Belle Tire) stopped 23 shots on the other end.

The Engineers needed just 1:14 to get on the scoreboard when junior Jordan Smelker (Anchorage, AK / Team Alaska 19U) knocked a loose puck off a defender and across the goal line. Linemate Ali Svoboda (Arlington Heights, IL / Chicago Mission) earned the primary assist after her shot was stopped but deflected just outside the crease, where Smelker got her stick on it for her fourth goal of the season. Freshman Alexa Gruschow (Mechanicburgh, PA / Washington Pride) was also credited with an assist.

Robert Morris tied the score at 15:17 of the third period when senior Kelsey Thomas (Hamilton, ON / Hamilton Hawks) swept in a rebound from the right side of the crease following heavy pressure by the Colonials. Maddie Collias (Roseville, MI / Belle Tire), who saw her redirect of a point shot stopped on a left pad save by O'Brien, had the first assist. Jamie Joslin (Richmond Hill, ON / Aurora Panthers) had the second assist.

RPI is back on the ice with a pair of games at Syracuse University on Friday and Saturday. Robert Morris is idle until November 30-December 1 when it visits the Orange.