Erie, Pa. - In the College Hockey America (CHA) semifinal contest, the Robert Morris University women's hockey team's comeback effort was not enough as the Colonials fell to Mercyhurst, 2-1 at the Mercyhurst Ice Center Friday afternoon.

After a hard fought and evenly played first period, RMU and Mercyhurst each skated without scoring a goal in the first 20 minutes of action. Both teams had multiple scoring opportunities that were either broken up by great defensive efforts or huge saves by both goaltenders. The Colonial penalty kill went two-for-two in the first period only allowing five Laker shots throughout the four minutes they skated a man-down.

Sophomore forward Rebecca Vint (Caledon, Ontario / Brampton Jr. Thunder) and junior forward Kristen Richards (Toronto, Ontario / Niagara University) each had impressive breakaway opportunities with great offensive moves but were each denied by Mercyhurst goaltender Stephanie Ciampa in the first period.

Less than 8 minutes into the second frame, Mercyhurst would capitalize on its scoring chances first as the Lakers scored the opening goal of the contest with 12:38 on the clock. Senior forward Lauren Jones found the net on a rebounded shot after the Lakers put multiple shots on net. Stephanie Desutter and Kaleigh Chippy registered assists on the score.

Throughout the second period, RMU outshot Mercyhurst 11-7. The Colonials had three power play chances in the second twenty minutes of play which they put four shots on net. Robert Morris did not commit a single penalty in the second period.

The third period resembled the first two periods as both teams battled hard throughout the entire period. With 40 seconds to go in regulation, Mercyhurst scored an empty goal to improve its lead to 2-0. The empty net goal was tallied by junior forward Christine Bestland.

With 24.8 seconds left in the game, RMU scored to come within one of the Lakers. Junior defenseman Brandi Pollock (Virden, Manitoba / Westman Wildcats) nailed home a shot from between the faceoff circles to spark the Colonials. Pollock's goal was an extra-attacker score assisted by Vint as the sophomore hit Pollock with a pass from behind the cage. The goal is the second of the season for Pollock while the assist is Vint's 17th. RMU was able to put one more shot on net in the remaining seconds of the contest, but fell in heartbreaking 2-1 loss.

The penalty unit went a perfect four-for-four throughout the contest not allowing any goals on Mercyhurst's seven power play shots. This season the defensive unit tallied an overall .874  overall kill percentage. On the national scene, RMU's penalty kill unit currently ranks fifth in kill percentage.

Senior goaltender Kristen DiCiocco (Niagara Falls, Ontario / Stoney Creek Jr. Sabres) earned the start between the pipes for Robert Morris. DiCiocco registered 23 saves on the afternoon contest despite the loss. DiCiocco ends her career at RMU as the winningest goalie in program history with 35 career wins.

As the 2012-13 season comes to end, this year's team and its individual players have achieved many feats. This year's team has set a new season record for shots on goal with 1,159 and currently ranks second in single season history with 15 wins. Currently, as a unit, the Colonials have tallied 213 points and 132 assists this year, ranking third all-time in both categories. Also this season, RMU earned its first-ever program sweep of a national ranked opponent. The Colonials finish the season with an overall record of 15-15-3.

The end of the season brings a close to eight members of the season class; forwards Dayna Newsom (Oakville, Ontario / Oakville Ice), Jennifer Kindret (Winnipeg, Manitoba / BC Breakers), Kelsey Thomas (Hamilton, Ontario / Hamilton Hawks), Courtney Langston (Warrensburgh, Mo. / Shattuck St. Mary's) and Cobina Delaney (Stittsville, Ontario / Ottawa Jr. Senators); Defenseman Jamie Joslin (Richmond Hill, Ontario / Aurora Panthers) and goaltenders Delayne Brian (Winnipeg, Manitoba / Wayne State University) and DiCiocco.