PITTSBURGH, Pa.— The Sacred Heart men's hockey team dropped its series opener to Robert Morris 4-2 on Friday night at 84 Lumber Arena.

The Pioneers (4-8-2,3-6 AHC) started things off with a goal on the first possession as senior Jordan Minello collected the rebound off a shot by linemate Justin Danforth 21 seconds into regulation to take the 1-0 lead. Senior captain Evan Jasper had the initial assist on the goal. It was the third goal Sacred Heart has scored in the first period all season. The Colonials (7-4-2, 4-4-1 AHC) first line tied it up on a three on two breakaway as Brady Ferguson and Daniel Leavens set up a wide open Alex Tonge for the snipe at 13:32 in the first.

Robert Morris broke the tie with two power play goals in the second period. Timmy Moore found Ferguson on the right wing for to net at 5:58 in the second to take the 2-1 lead. Tonge netted his second goal of the game on the power play as he got the dish off the faceoff from Leavens at 10:26 in the second. The man advantage continued to favor RMU with another power play goal at 8:57 in the third by Eric Israel on the assist from Leavens. Down 4-1, Mitch Nylen fired a slap shot from the top of the line, Minello was there for the deflection to bring the score to 4-2 at 16:40 in the third. The game would stay at 4-2. He has scored two goals in three straight games.

Sacred Heart outshot Robert Morris 43-35 for the game. The Colonials went 3-for-7 on the power play, while the Pioneers were 0-for-9. Sophomore Brett Magnus picked up 31 saves in goal for the Pioneers, freshman Francis Marotte continued to thwart the Pioneers attack with his career high 41 stops for the Colonials. 

The Pioneers wrap up season series against RMU tomorrow December 3 at 5:05pm.   

First Period

- Minello put SHU on the board with a goal by assisted by Justin Danforth on the first Pioneers possession 21 seconds into the game.   

- Danforth tried sneak one by Marotte from the left slot but got a pad on it halfway through the first.

- Magnus with a pad save on a snipe by Tonge at 10:45 in the period.

- Tonge closed the three-on-two breakaway on the assist from Leavens at 13:32 in the first.

- Jasper found an open Minello on the left side but Marotte landed on the loose puck at 14:45 in the period.

Second Period

- Ferguson right down the slot but pad save by Magnus 1:18 into the second period.

- Stephen Hladin shot hit the pipe at 2:18 in the second period.

- Tsekos found a wide open Danforth on the left wing but missed just wide at 3:27.

- Ferguson with the power play goal on the assist from Moore at 5:58 in the second.

- Tonge scored off the faceoff pass from Leavens for the power play goal and 3-1 lead.

Third Period

- Marotte with the swift glove save on a breakaway shot by Jasper at 3:30 in the third period on the power play, glove save.

- Magnus made a big save off the shoulder on a shot by Dorowicz at 6:19 in the third.  

- Eric Israel for the two-man advantage at 8:57 in the third period assisted by Leavens.

- Minello picked up his second goal of the game on the chip in off a slap shot by Nylen at 16:40.