CORAOPOLIS – The Robert Morris University Women’s Hockey returned to start their new season and rolled to a 3-1 victory over the Union Garnet Chargers on Friday at the RMU Island Sports Complex.

Not long after the puck dropped, the Colonials put a goal on the board. Only 4:48 into the first period, sophomore defender Thalia D’Elia scored the first goal off of assists from fellow sophomore winger Janelle Evans and graduate Veronica Bac.

RMU would come out of the first period up by a score of 1-0, killing Union’s only power play opportunity of the period in the process.

The Garnet Chargers would tie up the game at one apiece halfway through the second period on a goal by senior center Maren Friday assisted by sophomore LW Maddie Leaney and freshman winger Karianne Engelbert. RMU once again had less power play opportunities than Union, with the Garnet Chargers earning 3 to the Colonials’ 2.

However, the game was put out of reach in the third period by Bac, who scored two goals, both assisted by D’Elia, and one also assisted by the Colonials scoring leader last year, Alaina Giampietro and assistant captain Jersey Phillips.

Both Bac and D’Elia had three points each today, and the team also had a stellar defensive performance lead by sophomore goalie Maggie Hatch who had 32 saves on the day.

Following the game, Sentry Sports had the opportunity to talk to Thalia D’Elia and head coach Logan Bittle.

“We’ve definitely just got to keep up the energy,” stated D’Elia. “Stay positive tonight and tomorrow and come back at it again.”

“We’ve worked a lot on that,” answered Coach Bittle when asked about the team defense. “I think they’re a very talented group.”

The Colonials would fall in their second game against the Chargers by a score of 4-2. They’ll look to rebound against Bemidji State at the Island, this Friday, October 4, with puck drop slated for 7 P.M.