Syracuse fired 45 shots toward RIT goaltender Ali Binnington during Saturday's CHA title game, more than enough to create a few golden scoring chances.
But it could only convert once and let a golden playoff opportunity slip away.
The Orange took an early lead on a redirection goal by Emily Costales, but couldn't light the lamp in overtime as RIT fought back for a 2-1 victory and an automatic berth in the NCAA championship tournament.
"We have nothing to hang our heads about," SU head coach Paul Flanagan said. "It was a fantastic college hockey game that I think at the end of regulation, you thought it would be a great one to win and a tough one to lose, and it could have gone either way."
Costales put the Orange ahead by tipping in a shot by Nicole Renault with 6:02 left in the second period, but the Tigers were able to tie the game in the third on Lindsay Grigg's rebound goal.
The game eventually went to overtime, where neither team could score through the first 20 minutes of extra time. However, Carly Payerl was able to pick up a loose puck and snipe it past SU goalkeeper Jenn Gilligan in the second extra frame, ending the Orange's season.
Gilligan made 28 saves in the loss, while Binnington turned aside 44 at the other end.
Renault and Allie LaCombe were both named to the CHA All-Tournament team.
