The Lindenwood women's hockey team (2-13-0, 2-3-0 CHA defeated RIT (0-18-0, 0-5-0 CHA) by a score of 4-1 on Friday night from Centene Community Ice Center behind three powerplay goals.

GAME OVERVIEW
Both teams spent the opening six minutes of the game trying to settle in as each squad combined for eight shots over that pan with no real scoring chances. Lindenwood earned a man advantage opportunity shortly after, which provided a spark throughout the night. A Teagan Heaslip slapshot found its way through late on the powerplay, giving the Lions a 1-0 lead at the 8:01 mark of the opening period. Kaitlin Finnegan and Megan Wagner picked up assists on the goal. Just over four minutes later, Kayla Martinez found the back of the net, again on the powerplay, as Lindenwood took a 2-0 lead. Rachel Goof and Meara Ryan earned assists on the tally. RIT was able to cut the lead in half with a late goal in the opening period, as the score was 2-1 after 20 minutes of play.

The Tigers put pressure on the Lions to begin the second period, but Lindenwood's penalty kill came up big and didn't allow RIT to score after earning a five on three advantage early in the frame. The Lions settled in as they compiled 16 shots on goal during the second 20 minutes. Sierra Burt would extend the Lindenwood lead to 3-1 at the 10;22 mark of the opening frame after a misplay by the RIT netminder. Less than for minutes later, Sena Takenaka scored her first colligate goal on the man advantage growing the lead to 4-1 in favor of the Lions, which would be the score at the break.

Lindenwood was able to protect the lead in the third period, allowing just five RIT shots on goal in the final frame, as Natalie Ferenc stopped them all on the way to a 4-1 victory.

GAME LEADERS
Burt (1 G, 1 A, 10 shots)
Jada Burke (21 FOW)
Takenaka (1 G)

UP NEXT
Lindenwood will close out its series with RIT tomorrow. Puck drop is scheduled for 2:20 p.m. from Centene Community Ice Center.