Rochester, N.Y. - The Robert Morris University women's hockey team skated to a 2-2 overtime tie with RIT Saturday evening in College Hockey America (CHA) action at Frank Ritter Ice Arena. The draw is just the first of the season for Colonials in league play.

RMU scored the opening goal of the contest on a power play score by junior forward Kristen Richards (Toronto, Ontario / Niagara University) with only 13 seconds remaining in the first Colonial power play opportunity of the game. Richards found the puck at her feet after junior defenseman Anneline Lauziere (St. Thomas, Ontario / London Jr. Devilettes) blasted a shot on net from the point after a pass from sophomore forward Katelyn Scott (Brighton, Mich. /Belle Tire). Richards put home the rebounded shot to tally her eighth goal and second power play goal of the season. The assist is the second for Lauziere and Scott.

At the end of the first period the shot count was an even eight for both squads. The RMU penalty kill unit successfully denied the one Tiger power play chance in the first period.

RIT  tied the game with 12:53 on the clock in the second period. After a diving save by RMU goaltender Kristen DiCiocco (Niagara Falls, Ontario / Stoney Creek Jr. Sabres), senior captain Ariane Yokoyama lifted the rebound over DiCiocco for the first Tiger goal. Senior forward Tenecia Hill and junior defensema Melissa Bromley tallied the primary and second assists on the game-tying goal.

Less than four minutes later, RIT would score again to take the lead, 2-1. The Tigers scored a power play goal only 48 seconds into their third power play of the game. Freshman forward Carly Payerl found the cage to register her fifth goal of the year while sophomore forward Lindsey Grigg notched an assist.

The Colonials would come back to tie the contest, 2-2 with 50 seconds remaining in the second period. On RMU's third power play chance of the game, Scott banged a shot off the post to score her first power play goal of the season and of her career 1:11 into the Colonial power play. Linemates Maddie Collias (Roseville, Mich. / Belle Tire) and Richards tallied assists on the second RMU goal. The assist is the seventh of Collias' sophomore campaign and the eighth for Richards.

In the past five games, the forward line of Collias, Richards and Scott have accounted for seven of RMU's 12 goals. The line has also passed out six assists in the past five games. The Colonials have now scored four power play goals in their past two games.

The third period was evenly played by both teams however the shot count for the period favored the Tigers, 11-7. The hard fought third period ended with neither team being able to capitalize on scoring chances therefore forcing an overtime frame.

The Colonial penalty kill unit began overtime stifling a Tiger power play chance that carried over from the third period. RIT nor RMU were able to put a shot on net in overtime leading to the 2-2 draw.

DiCiocco registered a game-high 32 saves on the evening, 11 of which came in the third period. Tonight's contest marks the sixth occasion this season which the senior has recorded at least saves in a single-game.

RMU now owns an overall record of 10-8-3 with a league record of 6-4-1. The Colonials and Tigers return to action tomorrow for a rematch contest. Puck drop is set for 2 p.m. at Frank Ritter Ice Arena.