March 3, 2006

Box Score

Erie, Pa. - #7 Mercyhurst won its 20th game of the season by defeating visiting Robert Morris 3-1 Friday night at the Ice Center. The Lakers, 20-7-6 overall and 9-0-2 in College Hockey America (CHA), are now unbeaten in their last eight games. The Colonials lost their third straight, all in the conference, as their respective records dipped to 5-22-2 and 2-8-1.

Mercyhurst outshot RMU 19-2 in the opening period, but found itself trailing 1-0 thanks to an unassisted goal by Colonials' freshman center Morgan Beikirch at 4:33. Beikirch's shot from behind the goal line struck Mercyhurst sophomore netminder Laura Hosier in the back and deflected into the goal.

Mercyhurst senior team captain Samantha Shirley finally got the Lakers even with her 9th of the year at 5:31 of the middle period. Shirley's rebound shot eluded freshman Brianne McLaughlin. Shirley had help from junior forward Julia Colizza and sophomore winger Sherilyn Fraser. Mercyhurst had a 36-6 advantage in shots after forty minutes.

Freshman forward Courtney Unruh put the Lakers ahead 2-1 at 1:15 of the third when she tipped in junior defender Lesley McArthur's shot from the point. Colizza picked up her second assist of the game on the play. Sophomore forward Stephanie Jones finished the scoring and RMU with her 8th of the year at 4:56. Jones' shot came from behind the net and found its way past McLaughlin. Jones was helped by linemates Stefanie Bourbeau and Valerie Chouinard. Mercyhurst took 20 shots against RMU in the third and had a 56-8 advantage for the game.

McLaughlin, voted the game's first star, was brilliant. Although her record dropped to 5-21-2, her save percentage of .906 speaks volumes regarding her potential. Hosier improved to 13-7-5 overall as her defense gave her very little to do.

Mercyhurst has now won 20 games for five straight years and six of its first seven years of existence. The same two teams will conclude regular season play Saturday at 2:05 at the Ice Center. Seniors Samantha Shirley and Danielle Lansing will be honored before the game.