Jan. 21, 2006

Box Score

Niagara University, N.Y. - Despite a 59-10 advantage in shots, #6 Mercyhurst needed a pair of third period goals to overtake Niagara 2-1 Saturday night in a College Hockey America (CHA) contest before nearly 400 fans at Dwyer Arena. The Lakers improved to 15-6-2 overall and to 6-0-1 in the conference while the Purple Eagles dropped to 6-12-3 and 0-3-0 respectively.

For the second successive week, the Lakers ran into a hot goaltender. This time, it was junior Allison Rutledge (6-10-2). Rutledge had a 1-0 lead entering the third courtesy of junior forward Meagan Smith's fifth of the year, a breakaway marker at 9:03 of the second. The Lakers had an unbelievable 42-3 advantage in shots through forty minutes, but were down a goal entering the final frame.

But freshman forward Valerie Chouinard scored the equalizer and her team-leading 14th goal of the season, from junior Ashley Pendleton and sophomore Danielle Ayearst, at 10:08. The Lakers continued to apply the pressure and the hard work paid off as Ayearst notched her first of the year, the eventual game-winner, from Chouinard and senior Samantha Shirley, at 14:21. Forced to rally, Niagara had its most offensive display of the game in the final period, getting seven of its ten shots on net, but could not beat Mercyhurst sophomore Laura Hosier (10-6-2) again. Hosier made several outstanding saves down the stretch to protect the lead.

"Another gut-check time", is how Mercyhurst boss Michael Sisti described the affair. "Allison played great, but we were able to find a way to win."

Mercyhurst failed in seven power play chances while NU finished 0 for 3. Niagara has now lost all three of its conference games this season to Mercyhurst, which handed the Purple Eagles 3-0 and 5-2 losses earlier this season at the Ice Center. The Lakers now lead the all-time series 16-4-1. Ayearst picked up the game's #1 star with the game-winner and an assist. Rutledge earned #2 with 57 saves and Chouinard's two-point effort was good for #3. The two teams will conclude the weekend and regular season series tomorrow afternoon at 2:00pm.