Box Score

ERIE, Pa. – After a second overtime battle, the eighth-ranked Mercyhurst University women's hockey team fell 2-1 to RIT on Saturday evening. The Lakers fell to 23-8-4 on the season and now await their fate on the rest of their postseason.

Only other overtime championship game in CHA history also included Mercyhurst as the Lakers defeated former member Wayne State 2-1 after scoring midway through the first overtime period. This season, the Lakers have not won an overtime contest (0-2-4).

For the thirds straight game for the Lakers, both teams skated to a scoreless first period as the Lakers outshot RIT 13 to four. Senior Christine Bestland led the team with four shots on net while sophomore Hannah Bale powered off three. The Lakers also allowed just one shot throughout two RIT power-play opportunities.

Despite the Lakers marking 20 shots on net during the middle period, RIT took over the 1-0 lead at the end of the period. At the 18:36 mark the Lakers suffered a penalty which gave RIT an extra attacker for the final 1:24. The Tiger's Erin Zach attempted an initial shot on junior goaltender Amanda Makela and then finished the rebound between Makela's legs. Lindsay Griggs was awarded the assist.

In the third, the Lakers scored in the first five minutes to even the score at one. RIT suffered a penalty and with the power of the Lakers offense, they were able to regroup for a delayed penalty for over 20 seconds. Junior Molly Byrne gathered the puck in the Lakers defensive end and passed it to senior Christine Bestland.

Bestland gave senior Christie Cicero a go ahead pass on the near side of the ice where she skated through three RIT defensemen. Cicero then finally broke through the wall of Tigers goaltender Ali Binnington at the top corner of the net from a backhand shot at the top of the crease. Cicero's goal marked her 16th of the season and 44th of her career.

After the Lakers posted 47 shots throughout regulation, both goaltenders did not allow another goal. The Lakers offense dominated as RIT only attempted three shots in the third period for a total of 14. For the sixth time this season the Lakers skated to overtime.

Mercyhurst tallied 14 shots on net to RIT's four, however RIT tripled the Lakers shots on net in the second overtime. Mercyhurst collected just two shots on net to RIT's seven including the game-winning goal by the Tiger's Lindsay Grigg. Grigg shot the puck near the Lakers bench and floated the puck over the shoulder of Makela.

All told, the Lakers were held to zero power-play goals throughout the entire contest including an opportunity of an extra attacker at the start of the final overtime period. During that power-play the Lakers did not get a shot attempt on net to complete the total of 16 shots on the power-plays.

Junior Amanda Makela allowed two goals and made 23 saves throughout the contest. She fell to 22-6-4 on the season. Tigers Ali Binnington, the tournament MVP, made a career high 62 saves for her team and allowed just one goal the entire tournament.

Senior Kaleigh Chippy and sophomore J'nai Mahadeo made the CHA All-Tournament team for the efforts throughout the weekend. Chippy scored two goals against Syracuse during the semifinal contest, collected 12 shots on net throughout the two games and blocked two shots. Mahadeo marked an assist against Syracuse, attempted a total of three shots on net and blocked one shot.

The Mercyhurst Lakers await the NCAA selection show on Sunday, March 9 on NCAA.com to see if they advance to the NCAA Elite Eight with an at-large bid. Heading into this season, the Lakers hold the NCAA record of nine consecutive NCAA playoff bids and await their possible tenth. The announcement will be made at 6:00 p.m. EST.

College Hockey America All-Tournament Team:

Forward- Kourtney Kunichika, RIT
Forward- Kaleigh Chippy, Mercyhurst
Forward- Shelby Bram, Mercyhurst
Defenseman- Lindsay Grigg, RIT
Defenseman- J'nai Mahadeo, Mercyhurst
Goaltender- Ali Binnington, RIT
Tournament MVP – Ali Binnington, RIT