Photo Credit: Jenn Hoffman

Pittsburgh, Pa. – The Robert Morris University women's hockey team allowed a late RIT overtime goal and dropped its regular season finale by a 3-2 margin Saturday afternoon on Senior Day at 84 Lumber Arena.
 
The Colonials (15-14-5, 7-9-4) finish the regular season in fourth place in the College Hockey America standings and will host number five seed Lindenwood (8-22-4, 5-11-4) next weekend in the first round of the CHA Tournament. RMU went 3-0-1 versus LU this season.
 
Two Colonials seniors posted a point in their final career regular season game at RMU. Senior forward Anissa Gamble scored her sixth career goal and second of the season to put Robert Morris on the board. Senior captain Ashley Vesci assisted on junior Mackenzie Johnston's shorthanded tally. Freshmen Victoria Harshman and Kirsten Welsh also added assists on the day.
 

RIT (8-25-1, 4-15-1) sophomore Darcy Henderson tied the game at 2-2 with 5:44 remaining in the second period. Despite two power-play opportunities for each team in the third period, the squared score held throughout the entire frame, and the game eventually extended into overtime.
 
With 34 seconds remaining in the extra period, the Tigers capitalized on a late Colonials turnover. RIT senior captain Jess Paton stole possession of the puck and set up a pass to fellow senior captain Carly Payerl for the Tigers' game-winning goal.
 
Two minutes and thirty-eight seconds into the second period, Gamble stepped up for her squad in a big way on Senior Day and put the Colonials on the board with her second goal of the season and sixth in her four-year career to tie the game at one goal apiece. The momentum shift led to Johnston's goal, which placed the Colonials ahead, 2-1, for a short stint.
 

For the first time in five games, the Colonials allowed their opponent to score the opening goal of the game. Paton put the Tigers on the board early in the first with a shot right in front of junior RMU goaltender Jessica Dodds. RMU earned three power-play chances early but did not cash in. The Colonials went 0-for-5 on the man advantage overall, while RIT went 1-for-7.
 
Robert Morris will open postseason play in the first round of the CHA Tournament on Friday, Feb. 26 at 84 Lumber Arena against Lindenwood.
 
 
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