Jan. 27, 2006

Box Score

Durham, N.H. - New Hampshire sophomore forward Sadie Wright-Ward's disputed goal in the last minute of regulation gave the Wildcats a hard-fought 2-1 decision over visiting Mercyhurst Friday night before 758 fans at the Whittemore Center. The #2-ranked Wildcats, 20-2-1 overall and 10-0- 0 at home, are now unbeaten in their last 16 games. The #6 Lakers, who hadn't tasted defeat in their last 10, dropped to 16-7-2.

The Lakers protested in vain that the goal was dislodged on the decisive tally, but the officials ruled otherwise. The winning marker, Wright-Ward's team-leading 18th of the season and first game-winner, came with just 45 seconds left in regulation.

After a scoreless first period, the Wildcats used a 13-1 shot advantage in the middle frame to take a 1-0 lead. Sophomore forward Jennifer Hitchcock beat Mercyhurst sophomore netminder Laura Hosier midway thru the period for her 15th goal of the season.

The Lakers got even on a power play marker by freshman forward Courtney Unruh, her third tally of the year, seven minutes into the third, setting the stage for the last-minute drama.

New Hampshire outshot the Lakers 20-13 as Mercyhurst held the nation's second-ranked team to a combined seven shots in the first and third periods. UNH, which entered the game with both D-1's #1 scoring offense and #1 power play, was blanked in six attempts with the skater advantage. Mercyhurst finished 1 for 3.

New Hampshire extended its lifetime advantage against the Lakers to 4-2-1 and avenged a 4-0 setback to Mercyhurst last season, a game in which Hosier made her collegiate debut. Hosier dropped to 10-7-2 overall while UNH junior Melissa Bourdon improved to 18-2-1.

Mercyhurst will conclude its weekend trip Saturday night at #11 Boston College.