Jan. 5, 2007

Box Score

Erie, Pa. - Senior Lesley McArthur broke a scoreless tie with a goal midway through the second period, sophomore Natalie Payne scored the eventual game-winner with under 13 minutes to play, and the No. 1 Mercyhurst women's hockey team defeated Cornell 2-1 Friday at the Ice Center. Although without the services of five key players who were playing in a tournament in Europe, the Lakers improved to 17-1-1. Cornell dropped to 2-13-1.

The Lakers played the contest without goaltender Laura Hosier, forwards Meghan Agosta, Stephanie Jones and Valerie Chouinard, and defender Katariina Soikkanen, who are all overseas competing in the 2007 European Air Canada Cup.

Although Cornell put up a strong effort to keep the contest close, Mercyhurst was still able to overpower the Big Red, outshooting Cornell 42-9. The Lakers had four shots hit goalposts, but Cornell goaltender Beth Baronick made 40 saves to keep her team in the game.

McArthur finally broke through midway through the second period, winning a face-off and then picking up a rebound and slamming the puck home.

The score remained 1-0 until 7:22 of the third when Payne scored to give the Lakers some breathing room. But Cornell answered just nine seconds later on a Miranda Callaghan goal. Her shot from in close hit a Mercyhurst player and eluded sophomore Courtney Drennen. Mercyhurst, though, kept the Big Red from threatening the rest of the way. Cornell pulled its goaltender with 2:04 left, but generated only one shot the rest of the way.

Mercyhurst improved to 8-0-1 lifetime against the Big Red. The two teams will conclude the weekend series Saturday afternoon at 1:00.