The Nipissing Lakers women's hockey team is now going to have to do it the hard way.

The Lakers dropped Game 1 of their best-of-three Round 1 series 4-2 to the Ryerson Rams Wednesday afternoon at Memorial Gardens.

Ryerson capitalized on the few chances they had all game and cashed in on their way to victory.

The Rams scored the lone goal of the first period to take the lead into the first intermission.

Nipissing came out flying in the second, scoring two quick goals to grab a 2-1 advantage.

Madison Solie blasted home her first career OUA goal to even things up and shortly after Taylor McManus gave the Lakers the lead just two minutes later.

Brooklyn Irwin and Jetta Derenoski earned assists on Solie's tally, with McManus' coming unassisted.

Ryerson answered back, however, scoring twice before the end of the period to once again hold a on goal lead.

Despite pressure in the third, the Lakers were unable to find the back of the net and the Rams sealed the win with an empty-net goal, making the final 4-2.

Jackie Rochefort finished with 20 saves, with the final shots reading 27-23 in Nipissing's favour.

The teams will hit the ice for Game 2 Friday night in Toronto at 7:15pm.

Game 3, if necessary, will go Sunday night at Memorial Gardens.

Puck drop is scheduled for 7:30pm.