TROY, N.Y. – Junior goaltender Jessica Dodds stopped all 39 shots she faced to lead the Robert Morris women's hockey team to a 2-0 victory over Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), in non-league action at the Houston Field House on Friday. With the win, the Colonials improve to 3-3-1, while the Engineers drop to 2-3-0.

Dodds (London, ON/London Jr. Devilettes) made eight saves in the first, 11 in the second and 20 in the third to preserve the victory.

The Colonials received all the scoring they needed in the second period, beginning with junior Mackenzie Johnston (Barrie, ON/Etobicoke Dolphins), who netted her first of the year at 12:14. Johnston steered a puck under the left pad of RPI freshman goaltender Lovisa Selander (Sollentuna, Sweden/SDE Riksserien), with assists going to classmate Maeve Garvey (Oakville, ON/Burlington Jr. Barracudas) and junior
Mikaela Lowater (Thornhill, ON/Mississauga Jr. Chiefs).

Robert Morris doubled its lead late in the frame, when senior captain Ashley Vesci (Pittsburgh, PA/Lawrence Academy) finished off a 2-on-1 break. Carrying the puck up the right wing, Vesci picked out the top left corner of the net for her second goal of the year.

Rensselaer had chances to pull within a goal in the third, including three power play chances, but were unable to sneak a puck past Dodds (3-2). Selander (1-3) finished with 12 saves.

FIRST TIME SHUT OUT:
The Engineers were shut out for the first time this season despite registering their highest shot total through five games. Their previous high was 37 against RIT last Friday.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
Selander made a pair of breakaway saves in the third period to keep the deficit at two goals.

POWER PLAY CHANCES:
RPI recorded nine shots on their four power plays and continually kept the puck in attacking end of the ice.

UP NEXT:
Both teams are back in action for game two of the series, tomorrow at the Houston Field House (4pm).