Sophomore Abby Hustler scored her ninth goal of the season to tie the game, but the St. Lawrence University women's hockey team fell to RIT 2-1 in non-conference action on Tuesday evening in Rochester, New York.

The Tigers got the better of the action to start the first period, outshooting the Saints 7-5 in the first eight minutes of play.

St. Lawrence picked up the pace and put on the pressure in the latter half of the first and outshot the Tigers 14-12, but the game remained scoreless after one.

RIT put one on the board first as Nicole Ness capitalized on a miscue along the boards, skated in and went five hole, slipping the puck between the legs of Caitlin Whitehead to give the Tigers a 1-0 lead with 10:53 to play in the second.

Shortly after the RIT's first goal, Emma-Sofie Nordström replaced Whitehead between the pipes for St. Lawrence.

With 14:32 to play in the third, Hustler would score her ninth of the season to tie the game. Kristina Bahl pulled the puck off the far boards and found Hustler sliding into the slot, Hustler then beat Sarah Coe glove side for the 1-1 tie.

The Tigers would take the lead once again, as Addie Carr sent one just underneath the crossbar past Nordström for the 2-1 lead with 5:23 remaining.

With1:43 to play, the Saints pulled Nordström for the extra attacker, but were unable to find a second equalizer to force overtime.

"Once again we gave a great effort and came up short," said head coach Chris Wells. "Our puck control and attempted shots have been in our favor the last five games, but we have failed to capitalize on our chances."
 
"We have 10 games left in our regular season and I expect those chances will start to find their way into the net," Wells added. "No better way to get back up after this game and have a pair vs. Clarkson this weekend."

Whitehead made 15 saves in goal, while Nordström made nine. Coe finished with 42 saves for the Tigers.

St. Lawrence outshot the Tigers 89-50, including 43-26 in shots on goal, but fell to 11-14-1 overall, while RIT improved to 3-20-1.

The Saints will continue their long January stretch with the Route 11 rivalry series this weekend, as they host the No. 9/10 Golden Knights on Friday, January 20 at 6 p.m.