Feb. 25, 2006

Box Score

Ithaca, N.Y. - #7 Mercyhurst outshot Cornell 55-27 Saturday afternoon, but had to settle for a 2-2 overtime draw. The Lakers, 19-7-6 overall, stretched their unbeaten streak to seven games while the Big Red concluded the season with a 9-18-1 mark.

Both teams changed goaltenders for the finale of the weekend series. Cornell opted to start senior Flora Vineberg on "Senior Day" and the veteran played brilliantly in stopping 53 Mercyhurst shots including all 21 in a scoreless first period. The Lakers chose freshman Courtney Drennen, who turned aside 25 Cornell attempts including four in the 5-minute overtime.

Cornell took a 1-0 lead 6:12 into the second when sophomore forward Brianne Schmidt found the back of the net. Mercyhurst, down two skaters later in the frame, tied the game when junior Julia Colizza collected her 15th goal of the season at 15:11 of the middle period. The Lakers outshot Cornell 20-8 in the second for a 41-13 advantage through forty minutes.

Colizza put Mercyhurst ahead with her 16th of the year at 6:34 of the third, but the Big Red tied the game for the last time on freshman forward Emma Chipman's power play marker at 13:18. The Lakers outshot the Big Red 11-10 in the third, but Cornell had a 4-3 advantage in the overtime.

Mercyhurst was denied its 20th win, but will have an opportunity to get that and more when it entertains College Hockey America-rival Robert Morris next Friday and Saturday at the Ice Center. The Lakers, who've already clinched the CHA regular season crown for the 4th straight year, defeated the Colonials 5-1 and 9-1 in suburban Pittsburgh last December.