ROCHESTER, NY­ ­– The RIT women's hockey team (11-12-2, 6-4-1 CHA) had a strong offensive performance and held off a late rally by CHA foe Lindenwood (2-18-2, 2-8-1) to earn the 4-3 win at Ritter Arena on Friday evening. The line of #Kolbee McCrea (Wawa, Ontario/Burlington Barracudas)#, #Marissa Maugeri (Ajax, Ontario/Durham West Lightning)#, and #Erin Zach (Elmira, Ontario/Cambridge Fury)# combined for eight points in the victory.

McCrea and Maugeri each had a goal and two assists to lead the way, while Zach dished out a pair of assists. All three players were plus-3 in the win.

It was #Melissa Bromley (Aurora, Ontario/Aurora Panthers)# who got the Tigers on the board midway through the first period, recording a goal for the second consecutive game. The second period is where the offense was their best, as RIT would net three goals. Maugeri scored the first just 24 seconds into the period, with McCrea adding her team leading 13th later on. #Mackenzie Stone (Kars, Ontario/South Carleton)# rounded out the period for RIT with the eventual game-winning tally with just over four minutes remaining in the second.

All four of Stone's four goals are game-winners. RIT finished the game with a 38-20 advantage in shots.

For Lindenwood, Alyssa West, Caitlyn Post and Lyndsay Kirkham all scored goals, while goaltender Nicole Hensley made 34 saves on the evening.

RIT goalkeeper #Jetta Rackleff (Bend, OR/Summit)# faced just 20 total shots and made 17 saves.

"It seemed like we came out strong each period and then let Lindenwood creep back later in the period," said head coach #Scott McDonald#. "We have to play the full 20 minutes every period."

The first period got underway with both teams juggled the offensive pressure for the first several minutes. At one point RIT had a great scoring chance when McCrea and Zach had a great two on one chance right out in front of the net but the show by McCrea went just wide and kept the game scoreless.

About half way through the period the RIT offense settled down and was able to move the puck better in the offensive zone. Eventually it was Bromley that saw an open lane and fired a shot from the point right past the outstretched glove of Hensley in net.

Late in the period though Lindenwood would respond with a goal of their own from West and the teams headed into the first break knotted up at 1-1.

The Tiger offense wasted no time in the second as Maugeri added a second goal on a rebound in front just 24 seconds into the period, after Hensley had saved a shot from the right side from Zach.

The lead didn't last long though as several minutes later the Lions answered courtesy of Post who stole the puck, went on a breakaway and netted a goal unassisted, to tie the game up again, this time at 2-2.

Once again the RIT offense rose to the occasion though, as McCrea would score a goal off a great feed from Zach to take the lead back, 3-2. With just 4:09 to go in the second RIT would work the puck in the offensive zone again and after two solid passes from Clayton and Thurston, Stone would add the Tigers fourth and eventual game winning goal.

In the third the Tiger defense stood its ground for most of the period until a late power play goal by Kirkham got the Lions within one, 4-3.

With under a minute remaining the Lions would pull Hensley to give themselves an extra man, but the RIT defense shut them down as the final seconds ticked away and the Tigers held onto a 4-3 win.

The Tigers are now 3-1-3 all-time against Lindenwood, dating back to last season.

RIT is back at it tomorrow as they take on the Lions for the fourth and final time of the 2013-14 season at 2 p.m. The Tigers will wear their special jerseys as part of the partnership between Autism Up and College Hockey America's "Skate For A Cure," which helps raise money for Autism Awareness.