Sept. 30, 2006

Stats

Orono, Maine - Sophomore forward Valerie Chouinard (Matane, Quebec) scored twice, but junior forward Kristen Erickson's (Akron, Ohio) goal early in the second period proved to be the game-winner, as Mercyhurst opened its 2006-07 season with a 5-2 win at Maine. It was Erickson's first career game-winning marker.

Freshman winger Alexandra Hoffmeyer (Grand Blanc, Mich.) put the Lakers ahead 1-0 when she found the back of the net with her first career goal just 3:08 into the game. Hoffmeyer was assisted by junior forward Jackie Jarrell (Belleville, Ontario), who hadn't played in a year and a half after being injured early in the 2004-05 season.

The Black Bears wasted little time in tying the contest, however, when freshmam Taryn Peacock beat Mercyhurst junior goalie Laura Hosier with a power play goal at 4:18. The score remained knotted until 17:40 of the first when Chouinard scored a power play goal with help from Stephanie Jones (Grande Prairie, Alberta) and Ashley Pendleton (Orton, Ontario). Mercyhurst outshot Maine 22-2 in the first period.

Erickson, with assists from Danielle Ayearst (Whistler, BC) and Pendleton, gave the Lakers a two-goal lead at 3:38 of the second. But Maine drew to within one when freshman forward Jenna Ouellette lit the lamp at 15:49.

The Lakers continued to apply pressure early in the third and it paid off when senior forward Julia Colizza (Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario) restored the two-goal advantage at 1:30 with help from seniors Jill Nugent (New Glasgow, Nova Scotia) and Stefanie Bourbeau (Charlesbourg, Quebec). Chouinard finished Maine and the scoring with her second of the game, a shorthanded strike, at 6:38. Jones and Pendleton assisted.

Mercyhurst outshot the Black Bears 54-15 as Hosier went all the way. Sophomore Geneviece Turgeon took the loss in goal for Maine. Pendleton led the offense with three assists.

The win gave Mercyhurst a 2-1 lead in the all-time series against Maine and snapped a two-year season-opener losing streak. The two teams will conclude the weekend set Sunday at 11 a.m.