Jan. 18, 2008

Box Score

Erie, Pa. - Junior forward Meghan Agosta, who scorched Yale with four goals and an assist last season in a 5-4 road victory, scored twice Friday night to rally Mercyhurst from a 2-0 first period deficit to a 5-3 win at the Ice Center. The Ruthven, Ontario native stretched her scoring streak to 17 straight games, breaking her own team mark of 16 a year ago. The Lakers improved to 16-5-2 overall while the Bulldogs had a three game winning streak snapped in dropping to 7-7-4.

Yale scored two power play goals in three first-period chances to take a 2-0 lead after twenty minutes. Juniors Maggie Westfal and Crysti Howser did the early damage, both connecting against Mercyhurst senior goaltender Laura Hosier (12-4-2). Despite the deficit, Mercyhurst outshot Yale 15-7 in the firt period, thanks to four power play chances of their own.

The Lakers tied the game in the second when Agosta nailed her 26th of the season at 2:52 and freshman Geena Prough followed suit with her 5th of the campaign 13 minutes later. Agosta had help from linemates Valerie Chouinard and Stephanie Jones while Prough was assisted by senior Danielle Ayearst. The Lakers continued to pepper Yale netminder Shivon Zilis (3-4-3), outshooting the Bulldogs 17-3 in the middle frame.

Junior Chouinard's tenth goal of the season, a power play at 6:35 of the third, put the Lakers ahead for the first time. Chouinard was helped by junior forward Melissa Dianoski. The Mercyhurst lead grew to 4-2 when freshman forward Jesse Scanzano collected her 7th of the year, from Agosta, at 15:46. The Bulldogs took a time out at that point and, 26 seconds later, junior Sarah Tittman beat Hosier and Yale was within one at 4-3. Agosta closed the scoring less than two minutes later with her second of the game at 17:54. With Yale pressing the attack, junior deefnder Natale Payne sent Scanzano and Agosta in on a two-on-none break. Scanzano faked a shot and passed to Agosta who parked it into an open net.

Mercyhurst outshot Yale 50-15 but the Bulldogs kept the game close thank to a brilliant game by Zilis. The Lakers finished 1 of 9 on the power play while Yale, which scored on its first two tries, ended 2 of 5.

Hosier picked up her 65th career win between the pipes.

Mercyhurst will continue its eight game home stand Saturday night against Brown.