From Pittsburgh Hockey Central
By Edward Major II
NEW KENSINGTON, Pa. — The Pitt Panthers used a three-goal third period to defeat the Robert Morris Colonials, 5-3, Friday night at Pittsburgh Ice Arena.
Gambino opened the scoring to give Pitt an early 1-0 lead less than seven minutes into the game. The Panthers looked aggressive on offense for the first period, controlling the puck in the offensive zone and peppering Colonials goaltender Abigail Sollars with several high-danger chances.
Robert Morris defender Margaret Moore tied the game, 1-1, less than two minutes into the second period, as it looked like the Colonials were regaining their footing. Gambino notched her second goal of the game, though, with less than four minutes to play in the period to give the Panthers a 2-1 lead, and one it never relinquished.
In what looked to be a tight, low scoring contest after the first two periods, Pitt defender Fletcher Lyttleton — who led the team in points last season — picked up where she left off by putting the puck past Sollars at 4:02 of the third period. Isabella Barbero sniped a shot from the point to add to the panther lead, 4-1, at the 8:36 mark of the period, and Sara Setto shoveled another one into the Robert Morris net from the crease less than a minute later for a 5-1 Pitt lead.
Robert Morris forward Allison Myers scored two goals for the Colonials late in the period — one with just over seven minutes to play and another with less than four minutes — but it wasn’t enough to overcome the high-powered Panther offense, and Pitt took the 5-3 win. Pitt outshot Robert Morris 38-22.
Pitt goaltender Ella Venters saved 19 of 22 shots for her second win of the season. Sollars saved 33 of 38 shots in the loss.
(Originally published at https://www.burghhockeycentral.com/post/gambino-s-two-goals-barbero-s-game-winner-push-pitt-over-robert-morris-5-3)
