ROCHESTER, N.Y. --- The Mercyhurst University Women's Hockey team skated to victory against RIT on Saturday afternoon by a score of 3-1, Chantal Ste-Croix recorded the first Mercyhurst hat trick since Sara Boucher did it last year against Lindenwood on February 19th of this year.
Both teams showed off their defensive skills in the first period as neither team was able to find the back of the net. This was the complete opposite of what happened the first time these two teams played one other this year as there were six goals in the first period in the Lakers 6-3 September 19th win over the Tigers.Â
Jenna Silvonen started in between the pipes for the Lakers, the junior saved three RIT shots in the first period while Mercyhurst fired eight shots of their own on goal. Silvonen and the Laker penalty kill unit was able to shut down the Tigers single power play opportunity in the first.
In the second period, scoring remained non-existent. Mercyhurst kept their offensive pressure against RIT as the Lakers had 16 shots on goal in the period, however none of them could find the back of the net. Silvonen added seven more saves in the period as the score remained 0-0 going into the final period.Â
Going into the third period, the teams remained tied at 0-0 until the 5:23 mark when Chantal Ste-Croix received a pass from Alexa Vasko just above the crease and snuck a shot through the legs of RIT's Sarah Coe. Kristy Pidgeon was credited with the secondary assist. The Tigers did not let up as they tied the game again just two minutes and nine seconds after Ste-Croix's goal.
Ste-Croix gave the Lakers the lead again with 8:35 remaining in the contest. Ste-Croix slapped in a puck that was placed just in front of the net after it rebounded from an
Alexa Vasko shot. Vasko picked up her second assist of the day on the score and
Jersey Phillips earned the secondary assist on the eventual game winner.
Ste-Croix would find the back of the net for the third time in the third period when she received a pass from Pidgeon and found the back of the net. Co-Captain
K.K. Thiessen recorded the secondary assist on Ste-Croix's final goal.Â
Hear Coach Mike Sisti's thoughts after the game below.
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