Abby Hehl scored to bring the game back within one during the second period, but the No. 14 St. Lawrence University women's hockey team fell to RIT 4-1 on Friday evening in Rochester, N.Y.

The Tigers struck first, as Linda Rulle slipped one under the glove of Emma-Sofie Nordström, giving RIT an early 1-0 lead.  

The Saints applied heavy pressure looking for the equalizer before the end of the first, but RIT goaltender Sophia Bellina kept the Saints off the board, making three saves in the final minute, including a huge save on a one timer from Kennedy Wilson.

After a fast paced first 20 minutes, both teams recorded 10 shots on goal.

The Tigers doubled their lead at 5:30 of the second, as Tilli Keraenen sent a shot from the point, which was tipped for the redirect by Jaidan Fahrny.

The Saints peppered Bellina, looking to get on the board, and were successful just about six minutes later, as Rylan Haslam skated to the top of the right circle, pumped the brakes and found Hehl on the doorstep with the tip to bring SLU back within one.

Following the second, the Saints held a 27-21 advantage in shots on goal, as RIT led 2-1 after 40 minutes.

RIT increased their lead back to two, as Emma Pickering sent a shot on goal from the point, her shot was stopped by the leg of Nordström, but Brac Kelley was right there to poke in the rebound.

With 2:54 to play left in the third, St. Lawrence pulled Nordström for the extra attacker but were unsuccessful, as Kelley sealed the game with her second of the game with the empty netter with 52 seconds on the clock.

"It was a real good battle in a great environment," said head coach Chris Wells. "In a lot of aspects it was one of our best games of the year and we had stretches of shifts, which gave us a good glimpse of what is in store for our next games. RIT played hard once again and was able to capitalize on some good chances. Bellina was fantastic in the net and certainly kept us off the board on a number of quality opportunities."

Nordström finished with 33 saves for the Scarlet and Brown, while Bellina stopped 38 for RIT.

St. Lawrence finished with a 39-37 edge in shots on goal, while RIT went 1-for-3 on the power play.

The Saints moved to 2-5-1 on the season, while the Tigers improved to 4-4-0.

"It's hard not to get better in games like these," Wells added. "Physical, fast, and lots of emotion. Despite the loss we can walk away from the weekend knowing we got better and are more prepared for our next game in league play."

SLU will open ECAC Hockey play on the road next weekend, as they take on RPI on Friday, October 24 at 6 p.m. and Union on Saturday, October 25 at 3 p.m.