Box Score

ERIE, Pa. – The Mercyhurst University women's hockey team dropped a 3-1 decision to the eighth-ranked Robert Morris on Friday afternoon.  The Lakers fell to 14-7-3 overall this season and are now 7-3-1 in the CHA while Robert Morris improved to 20-3-2 overall and 9-1-1 in the conference.
 
Both teams skated to a scoreless first period despite Mercyhurst outshooting Robert Morris 12 to six. 
 
The Colonials came out strong the second period scoring three unanswered goals starting with a shot from Mackenzie Johnston.  The even strength goal was tallied at the 2:51 mark of the second after Anneline Lauziere and Maeve Garvey generated an offensive rush in front of the Laker net.  Johnston then found the loose rebound in the crease and tapped it past Mercyhurst goaltender Julia DiTondo.
 
Robert Morris scored again at the 8:43 mark after Mercyhurst gave up the puck in the neutral zone on their power-play.  The short-handed goal was scored by Rebecca Vint after she received a go ahead pass by Maddie Collias, whom created the turnover.  The short-handed goal marked the Lakers first short-handed goal against this season.
 
Johnston made the score 3-0 at the 13:59 mark to force head coach Mike Sisti to make a goaltending change.  Junior Amanda Makela came in for the relief for the first time this season.
 
Before the end of the second, Robert Morris almost scored again as the puck bounced off the post behind Makela.  The goal would later be waived off and Robert Morris led Mercyhurst heading into the third.
 
The Lakers took control of the third period by allowing just one Robert Morris shot on net.  Mercyhurst collected 10 of their own to outshoot Robert Morris a three period total of 23 to 20.  Seniors Christie Cicero (8) and Christine Bestland (7) led the team in shots.
 
Mercyhurst's only goal came from junior Molly Byrne on a power-play goal with a 1:30 left in regulation.  The Lakers pulled Makela to create more offense with two extra attackers.  The strategic move paid off as Mercyhurst moved the puck from sophomore J'nai Mahadeo to sophomore Emily Janiga in front of the Colonials net.  Bryne finished the play to add her second goal of the season.
 
DiTondo (2-1-1) suffered her first loss of the season after allowing three goals on 16 shots.  Makela made four saves in the relief.  Robert Morris' Jessica Dodds remains unbeaten at 17-0-2 on the season.
 
Both teams are back in action at the Mercyhurst Ice Center on Saturday, January 25 with the faceoff beginning at 2:00 p.m.