Moon Township, PA—Mercyhurst traveled to Moon Township for the last time this season as they looked to take the season series for Robert Morris. Despite goals from Chantal Ste-Croix and Summer-Rae Dobson and 23 saves from Ena Nystrøm, the Lakers fell by a score of 3-2.
How it Happened
The Lakers were able to jump out to an early lead as Ste-Croix was able to score her fourth goal of the season. Ste-Croix was able to collect the puck behind as Jordan Mortlock took the pass from Calista Rowbottom and dumped the puck behind the net. Ste-Croix curled to the front of the net and was able to bank the puck off the pad of Robert Morris goaltender Raygan Kirk and past the goal line. Mortlock picked up her first point of the season while Rowbottom picked up her second assist of her collegiate career.
Just over two minutes later the Colonials were able to tie the game at one as the two teams headed into the locker room for the first intermission.
Nystrøm who started her fourth straight game for the Lakers was able to make eight saves in the first frame as the Lakers skated off the ice tied after the first period for the fifth time this season.
In the second period neither team was able to score, the Lakers generated just five shots compared to seven Colonial shots. The Lakers dominated in the faceoff circle through two periods winning 23 draws, while only losing 15.
Entering the game the Lakers have only entered the third period tied once, the only time being in the last game the Lakers played, Syracuse and Mercyhurst were tied at 0 before the Lakers were able to win by a score of 2-1.
Just 1:17 into the third period Robert Morris was able to score the go ahead goal to make the score 2-1, just five minutes later the Colonials were able to beat Nystrøm once again to make the score 3-1 with just over 13 minutes remaining in regulation.
With the extra attacker the Lakers were able to claw back into the game, Dobson was able to score her second of the season while Rachel Marmen was able to pick up her fourth assist of the season.
The comeback attempt came up short as the Lakers fell by a score of 3-2. Nystrøm was able to make 23 saves in the loss. Mercyhurst also won the faceoff category winning 32 draws, leading the way was Alexa Vasko, Vasko won 21 of 29 faceoffs.
The Battle of Special Teams
The Lakers were able to kill off four of five Robert Morris powerplays. Mercyhurst was unable to convert on three powerplays.
Up Next
Mercyhurst will have the weekend off, they will then host the Lindenwood Lions on February 18th, 19th, and 21st with faceoff scheduled for 6:05 PM on the 18th, 2:05 PM on the 19th, and 2:05 PM on the 21st.
