MARYLAND HEIGHTS, MO. -  The Lindenwood Women's Hockey team picked up their first Playoff win in nearly nine years with a 3-1 win in the AHA Quarterfinal round over Robert Morris at Centene Community Ice Center. Both Michaela Paulinyova and Tatiana Blichova picked up two points in the victory over the Colonials, while Madison Bowtell stopped 31 of 32 shots that she faced to pick up the playoff win. 

In the first period, the Lions started out slow recording four shots on goal compared to RMU's 14. Lucie Quarto, Hannah Dods, Tatiana Blichova, and Zsofia Pazmandi each recorded a shot in the opening frame, but Bowtell kept the Lions in the contest making 14 saves in the first 20 minutes of play to keep RMU off the scoreboard. Pazmandi broke the scoreless tie less than four minutes into the second period after receiving a pass in the neutral zone from Michaela Paulinyova and scoring on a breakaway goal by sneaking the puck through the legs of the Colonial goaltender to put the Lions in front 1-0. RMU responded four minutes later to even the score at one, but Lindenwood took the lead back at the 15:38 mark of the second period as Silje Gundersen found open ice in the slot and buried the puck into the back of the net off assists from Blichova and Molly Henderson to retake the lead at 2-1, which would be the score after two periods of play. 

The Lions extended their lead late in the third period on an empty net goal scored by Paulinyova and the Lions hung on to defeat Robert Morris for the third straight time and advanced to the AHA Semifinals next weekend at Mercyhurst. After allowing the tying goal in the second period, Madison Bowtell stopped 14 shots in a row and made several big saves to keep the Lions in front down the stretch. Defensively, Josey Dunne-Weeks made two huge plays at big moments of the game to deny RMU from scoring. Dunne-Weeks blocked a shot in the first period on a wide open look from the Colonials and made a diving effort on a two-on-one rush in the second period that broke up a scoring chance for the Colonials. Lindenwood recorded 15 blocks in the contest as well with Molly Henderson having three and four other skaters picking up two blocks. 

The Lions will head to Erie, Pennsylvania next weekend for a three-game series against Mercyhurst in the AHA semifinal round. Game One from Erie is scheduled for 2 p.m. CT with games two and three set for 12 p.m. CT with the winner advancing to the AHA Tournament Championship game.