Women's Hockey | 1/24/2020 8:44:00 PM

Box Score ROCHESTER, N.Y. – Junior goaltender Jessi O'Leary (Woodstock, New Brunswick/Notre Dame Hounds) recorded 36 saves while sophomore forward Abby Davies (Ashton, Ontario/Ottawa Lady Senators) and freshman forward Jaymee Nolan (Dublin, Ontario/London Devilettes) both recorded a goal and an assist as the RIT (9-14-2, 2-9-0) women's hockey team was defeated by Mercyhurst University (13-8-4, 7-2-2), 5-2, in College Hockey America (CHA) action from the Gene Polisseni Center Friday evening.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Mercyhurst struck first a little more than five and a half minutes into the game when Junior defenseman K.K. Thiessen scored on a power play. She was assisted by Junior forward Summer-Rae Dobson.
• RIT followed in suit when Nolan scored off a between-the-legs pass from Davies with 10 minutes left in the first period. The scoring play was started by an assist from Freshman defenseman Justine Larkin (Ottawa, Ontario/Ottawa Lady Senators).
• However, Mercyhurst capitalized on their second power play opportunity of the night with only 43 seconds left in the period. Senior forward Emma Nuutinen scored with assists from Thiessen and Junior goaltender Kennedy Blair to enter the second period with a 2-1 lead.
• The Lakers built on their lead four and a half minutes into the second period. A shot from Junior defenseman Rachel Marmen took an awkward roll underneath O'Leary's leg and Senior forward Michelle Robillard knocked it into the net.
• Mercyhurst scored once again during on its fourth power play goal of the night with 4:38 left in the second. Senior forward Maggie Knott scored off assists from Thiessen and Junior forward Alexa Vasko.
• RIT scored :22 seconds into the third period. Davies poked home a shot between the legs of Blair off assists from Nolan and Junior forward Jordan Marchese (Mississauga, Ontario/Brampton Canadettes).
• Mercyhurst killed a 2 minute, 5-on-3 power play midway through the period to retain their 4-2 lead.
• The Lakers pushed ahead to win the game as Senior defenseman Sam Isbell scored off a laser pass from Nuutinen with 2:53 left in the game. The play was started by an assist from Knott. This score would hold as Mercyhurst went on to win the game, 5-2.

 GAME NOTES

• O'Leary recorded 36 saves in goal.
• Mercyhurst finished with a 39-23 shot advantage.
• Davies added to her team-leading point total (27), including 11 assists that also lead the Tigers.
• Mercyhurst capitalized on 3 of their 5 power play opportunities.

WHAT'S NEXT
RIT hosts Mercyhurst on Saturday (Jan. 25) at 2:00 p.m. to complete the CHA doubleheader.