Complete Box Score

MOON TOWNSHIP, Pa. - In the first-ever matchup against former assistant coach Paul Colontino on Friday night, it was senior Kelley Steadman who stole the spotlight.

Steadman scored all four Mercyhurst goals and lifted the Mercyhurst women's hockey team to a 4-2 victory over the Colonials of Robert Morris in suburban Pittsburgh. The Lakers improved to 18-4-1 overall and 4-0-1 in the College Hockey America standings. Meanwhile, the Colonials fell to 12-6-2 overall and 1-1-1 in conference play.

Mercyhurst extended its unbeaten streak to eight consecutive games (7-0-1) and extended its conference unbeaten streak to 28 straight (27-0-1). The Lakers also improved to 29-0-0 lifetime against Robert Morris.

A native of Plattsburgh, N.Y., Steadman had a goal in the first period then scored a natural hat trick in the second period to provide all of the offense Mercyhurst needed. It was Steadman's second four-goal game of the season, and the third time she has registered at least three goals in a game this year.

It was, however, Robert Morris who struck first. Maddie Collias scored her first goal of the season at the 6:20 mark of the opening period, beating Mercyhurst goaltender Hillary Pattenden for a 1-0 Colonial lead. Rebecca Vint and Thea Imbrogno had the assists.

Steadman knotted the game at 1-1 at the 7:56 mark of the opening 20 minutes with her team-leading 22nd goal of the season. Entering the game, Steadman was tied with senior Bailey Bram for the team lead in goals. Bram and sophomore Christine Bestland had the assists.

Mercyhurst outshot Robert Morris 20-6 in the opening period.

The second period belonged to Steadman and the Lakers. The senior scored at the 3:16 mark of the middle period off an assist from senior Jess Jones to give Mercyhurst a 2-1 advantage. Steadman then completed her hat trick at the 6:57 mark of the period with assists going to Bram and freshman Molly Byrne. Steadman then capped off her performance at the 16:18 mark with assists going to Jones and Bestland.

Mercyhurst scored three goals in the second despite only registering six shots on goal. Robert Morris held a 7-6 shot advantage in the middle stanza.

The Colonials would attempt a comeback bid, scoring just 2:44 into the third period. Brianna Delaney scored her seventh of the season from Kelsey Thomas and Cobina Delaney, cutting the Mercyhurst lead to 4-2. But, Pattenden and the Laker defense slammed the door the rest of the way, as Robert Morris would muster only three shots in the third.

Steadman now leads the team, and is tied with Wisconsin's Brianna Decker, with 25 goals this season. Her 1.09 goals per game is tops in the country. Bram had two assists, giving her 54 points this season. Her 2.57 points per game is still tops in Division I.

Three of Steadman's four goals came on the power play. Mercyhurst entered play with the nation's top power play unit and improved its percentage by going 3-for-8 with the skater advantage. Meanwhile, Robert Morris was 1-for-7 on the power play.

Pattenden picked up her 15th win of the season, and 95th of her career, stopping 14-of-16 Robert Morris shots. Kristen DiCiocco stopped 33-of-37 in defeat.

The two teams will travel north on Interstate 79 and will meet at the Mercyhurst Ice Center to conclude the weekend's home-and-home series on Saturday night. Faceoff from the MIC is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.