Pittsburgh, Pa. – The
Robert Morris University women's hockey team suffered a 4-0 setback against College Hockey America front runner Mercyhurst Friday evening at 84 Lumber Arena.
The Lakers (13-10-4, 10-3-2) extend their lead in the league standings by two points, as the Colonials (14-10-5, 6-5-4) now trail first-place Mercyhurst by six.
Junior forward
Mackenzie Johnston led the offense with six shots. Freshman defenseman
Kirsten Welsh recorded two blocks on the night. Junior goaltender
Jessica Dodds made 29 saves and freshman netminder
Lauren Bailey entered the game at the start of the third period during which she made nine stops on the night.
The Colonials struggled to contain the Lakers in front of the net on both ends of the ice, as all four Lakers' goals were scored just above the crease, while Mercyhurst excelled in protecting their own net and blocked a total of 15 shots on the night.
A three-goal second period for the visiting Lakers put them in permanent control of the game, as Robert Morris could not seem to find an answer to their offense.
A relentless shift for the Lakers early in the second period earned them a 2-0 lead as Mercyhurst kept the puck in its offensive zone long enough for freshman Rachael Smith to finally slide the puck past Dodds right in front of the net just over four minutes into the frame.
At 10:41 into the second, Mercyhurst's Brooke Hartwick lifted the puck high on the blocker's side and took an angle shot that Dodds could not get into proper position to defend and Mercyhurst extended its lead to three.
Sophomore Lakers left wing Sarah Robello took a shot that bounced off the pad of Dodds and right back onto her own stick to set up Mercyhurst's fourth goal of the game with 2:23 remaining in the second.
Although Robert Morris took some quality shots early in the game, the puck seemed to do everything but hit the back of the net, as three unlucky looks bounced off the pipes.
The Colonials were able to take a number of shots in the slot on their first power play of the game with a few just barely missing the mark, but the Lakers piled on the offensive pressure once both teams were back to full strength and earned the crucial first goal of the game. Senior Hannah Bale placed a shot high glove side on Dodds that earned Mercyhurst a 1-0 lead.
Neither team managed to score on the power play, as Mercyhurst went 0-for-3 and Robert Morris went 0-for-4 on the man advantage. The Lakers outshot the Colonials, 42-31, on the night.
The CHA series continues tomorrow with the opening faceoff for Game 2 scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 6 at 3:05 p.m. at 84 Lumber Arena. A ceremonial puck drop featuring the RMU women's hockey Big Sister Little Sister program will take place in honor of National Girls and Women in Sports Day.
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@RMUWHockey@rmu_w_hockeyRobert Morris University Athletics
