ERIE, PA - For the fourth time this season, the RIT women's hockey team (16-16-5) and Syracuse skated to a 2-1 conclusion. The Orange (20-14-1) emerged victorious in all four meetings, including Friday evening's overtime win on Sadie St. Germain's seventh goal of the season at the 10:08 mark of overtime at the Mercyhurst Ice Center in the CHA Semifinals. The loss brings RIT's historic first season at the Division I level to an end.

#Ali Binnington (Oakville, Ontario/Mississauga Chiefs)# was outstanding in net for the Tigers, making a career-high 43 saves.

#Kim Schlattman (Stratford, Ontario/Cambridge Fury)# scored RIT's only goal of the contest, her second tally of the playoffs and team-best 16th goal of the season.

Kalie Billadeau made 22 stops in the winning effort and Allie Lacombe added a goal for the Orange, who out shot RIT 45-23.

The first period was scoreless with Syracuse holding a slight 10-5 advantage in shots. Schlattman had the Tigers best opportunity, with a 2-on-1 minutes into the period. Her shot was denied by Billadeau.

The Orange would have consecutive power play opportunities in the period, but were unable to convert either attempt.

RIT also had a chance with the man-advantage but were held in check.

With just under two minutes to go in the period, St. Germain came streaking in on a breakaway, but lost control of the puck while trying to beat Binnington.

The Tigers broke through in the second period at the 6:32 mark on Schlattman's 16th goal of the season. The senior broke away from the defense and put a perfectly placed shot in the top corner of the goal.

Binnington was tremendous in the period, making 16 saves, including a pad save while laying on her back, to keep the Tigers ahead.

#Marissa Maugeri (Ajax, Ontario/Durham West Lightning)# had a chance to give the Tigers a two-goal lead, but her backhand shot clanged off the post with just over two minutes remaining.

The Orange held a 16-5 advantage in shots in the second period, and had three power play opportunities but couldn't solve Binnington.

Syracuse would finally beat Binnington at the 7:45 mark of the third period. Akane Hosoyamada fired a shot from the point that was knocked down. Allie Lacombe scooped up the loose puck and fired it passed a screened Binnington to knot the score at 1.

At the end of regulation, the Orange held a 41-15 lead in shots.

The Tigers held an 8-4 advantage in shots in the overtime period, but Syracuse capitalized on a great effort by St. Germain. She went through a couple RIT defenders and put a move on Binnington to advance the Orange to the Championship where they take on top-seed Mercyhurst.

The CHA playoffs have seen all six playoff games decided by one goal and three advancing to overtime.

The Tigers wrap up their historic season with a .500 record and a bright future. The loss brings to close the brilliant careers of #Tenecia Hiller (Brampton, Ontario/Brampton Thunder)#, #Kristina Moss (Webster, NY/Buffalo Bisons)#, #Ellesha Fortuna (Burlington, Ontario/Burlington Barracudas)#, #Ariane Yokoyama (Van Nuys, CA/LA Selects)#, #Danielle Read (Brantford, Ontario/Hamilton Hawks)# and Schlattman. Yokoyama ends her career second in RIT history with 89 career assists, and Moss and Hiller are the RIT record holders in career games played with 124 each. Yokoyama, Hiller and Schlattman all reached 100 career points this season.