Erie, Pa. ? The Robert Morris University women's ice hockey team fell to #7-ranked Mercyhurst, 5-2, in a College Hockey America showdown Friday night at the Mercyhurst Ice Center.

The Colonials (12-20-1, 2-9-0 CHA) were led on offense by sophomore Chelsea Walkland (Pittsford, N.Y. / Rochester Edge) and junior Ali Proodian (Canton, Mich. / Honeybaked U-19) with a goal apiece.

Mercyhurst started the scoring off late in the first period when Geena Prough connected on the power-play for the 1-0 lead at 16:49.

The Colonials battled back in the second period with Walkland tying the game at 1-1 just 2:12 into the frame. Assists were awarded to junior Alissa Dorman (Madison, Wisc. / Madison Capitals) and sophomore Jacki Gibson (Burlington, Ontario / Burlington Barracudas).

After the exchange of goals, Mercyhurst kicked it into high gear with three straight scores in a span of two minutes to take a 4-1 lead.

Proodian broke up the frenzy with her second goal in as many games at the 8:05 mark to close out the scoring in the second period.

The Lakers went onto to add a fifth goal in the third period when Hayley McMeekin scored on an empty-net opportunity with 1:04 remaining in the game.

Junior Brianne McLaughlin (Sheffield Village, Ohio / Ohio Flames) fought hard in goal for Robert Morris, stopping 53 of 57 shots faced while allowing just one even strength goal to the #4-ranked scoring offense.

Mercyhurst outshot the Colonials, 58-20, while converting 3-for-8 on the power-play. Robert Morris was 0-for-6 with the extra-man advantage.

Both teams meet again Saturday, March 1, to complete the home-and-home series at the RMU Island Sports Center in Pittsburgh, Pa. Face-off is scheduled for 7:35 p.m.