Jan. 7, 2006

Box Score

Storrs, Conn. - Junior forward Stefanie Bourbeau's shorthanded goal early in the game propelled roster-depleted Mercyhurst to a 4-0 win over Hockey East-member Connecticut Saturday afternoon. Bourbeau's 8th goal of the season and 3rd shorthanded tally of her career proved to be all the Lakers and freshman netminder Courtney Drennen would need to post their fifth straight win in a 12-6-1 season to date. The Huskies were shut out for the 6th time this season in dropping to 7-13-0.

Bourbeau's first game-winning goal of the season came at 3:53 of the first. Freshman forward Robyn Law extended the lead to 2-0 with her second of the season at 7:28. Junior forward Lesley McArthur finished UConn and the scoring with her second and third goals of the year, one in each of the final two periods. McArthur, who entered the 2005-06 campaign with no goals in her first 66 contests, now has three in 19 games this season. Bourbeau helped on both McArthur's goals to finish with a three-point effort. Other assists were given to junior Ashley Pendleton, sophomore Sherilyn Fraser, and junior Julia Colizza.

Drennen stopped all 20 UConn shots as she improved to 4-0-0 on the season in posting her first career shutout. Connecticut senior Kaitlyn Shain made 28 saves as her record dropped to 7-12-0. The Lakers were penalized five times for ten minutes and were 0 for 2 on the power play. The Huskies were assessed just two minor penalties and were blanked in four power play opportunities. Mercyhurst now leads the all-time series 5-0-1.

Mercyhurst played without forwards Stephanie Jones, Valerie Chouinard, and Sarah Kurth. Jones and Chouinard are with Canada's Under-22 Team in Germany this weekend while Kurth is nursing a minor ailment. Head coach Michael Sisti was expected to start sophomore Laura Hosier in goal, but she was scratched after warmup because of the flu. The flu bug also limited the services of sophomore defender Danielle Ayearst.

"I've never been more proud of my team than I am today, " said Sisti following the game. "We asked people to step up today and they did. Now we have to take the same energy and intensity to Providence tomorrow. The Friars are a very good team and have been playing well."

Mercyhurst and Providence are tied 2-2 in the all-time series. Tomorrow's 1:00pm game concludes four successive road contests. The Lakers will return to the Ice Center next Friday and Saturday for College Hockey America (CHA) games against Wayne State.