Robert Morris stuns Gophers in women's hockey opener

This was a season-opening shocker, as the Gophers lost to a fourth-year program despite outshooting the Colonials 65-10.

By ROMAN AUGUSTOVIZ, Star Tribune

Last update: October 4, 2008 - 12:12 AM

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ROBERT MORRIS 3, GOPHERS WOMEN 2 Tonight: 7:07 p.m., Ridder Arena

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This was a season-opening shocker. Robert Morris, a fourth-year women's hockey program out of Pittsburgh, upset the No. 3-rated Gophers 3-2 on Friday at Ridder Arena despite being outshot 65-10.

Colonials senior Brianne McLaughlin tied a career high with 63 saves, 23 in the final period. "I got so tired," McLaughlin said. "They kept getting those power plays [but] I play a lot better when I see a lot of shots."

Minnesota fell behind 3-0 early in the second period when Jacki Gibson scored the Colonials' second power-play goal, chasing Kim Hanlon from the Gophers net after she gave up three goals on seven shots.

Freshman defenseman Anne Schleper answered a minute later to make it 3-1. Emily West pulled the Gophers within 3-2, scoring with 65 seconds left in regulation.

"We had 65 shots on net, so you can't argue with that," Gophers defenseman Melanie Gagnon said. "It was just a matter of [McLaughlin] saw every shot. So we have to get a little more traffic, and we have to get to the back door."

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