ERIE, Pa. – Mercyhurst scored two power-play goals and pulled away with two scores in the third period to defeat RMU, 5-1, in the series opener on Friday afternoon. With the loss, the Colonials move to 10-15-2 overall and 6-9-2 in conference play.
FIRST PERIOD
After a quiet start to the game, both sides earned power-play opportunities late in the opening frame.
RMU recorded two shots on goal during its woman-advantage but was unable to convert. Mercyhurst then capitalized on its first power play of the contest, as Sofia Nuutinen found the back of the net to give the Lakers a 1-0 lead.
Despite trailing after 20 minutes, the Colonials held a slim 12-11 edge in shots.
SECOND PERIOD
Four minutes into the middle frame, Nuutinen netted her second goal of the game at even strength to double Mercyhurst's lead.
RMU responded just under two minutes later, as
Alaina Giampietro scored off her own rebound to cut the deficit in half.
Morgan Giannone and
Thalia D'Elia each picked up assists on the play.
The Colonials pulled within one, but the Lakers answered later in the period when Sophie McKinley scored to restore Mercyhurst's two-goal cushion. Mercyhurst outshot RMU 15-8 in the second period.
THIRD PERIOD
Mercyhurst pulled away in the final frame, as Julia Perjus and Jessica Ciarrocchi each scored to seal a 5-1 victory.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Mercyhurst held a slight edge in shots, 33-31. Giannone led RMU with six shots on goal.
- Giannone, Giampietro, and Shayne Desjardins each finished with a +1 rating.
- Sophomore Jessica MacKinnon won a team-high 13 faceoffs.
- Defensively, RMU blocked 10 shots, led by D'Elia with three blocks.
- On special teams, Mercyhurst went 2-for-3 on the power play and killed off all three of RMU's chances.
- In net, Maggie Hatch played the first 49:03, making 24 saves. Lucy Phillips entered for the final 10:56 and recorded four stops.
UP NEXT
RMU will look to split the series with the Lakers on Saturday, January 24, at the Mercyhurst Ice Center. Puck drop is scheduled for 1:00 PM, with the game streaming live on FloHockey.
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