Oct. 21, 2005

Box Score

Erie, Pa. - The game was everything it was advertised to be. In the end, #4-ranked and two-time defending national champions Minnesota made a second period power play goal stand up in defeating stubborn Mercyhurst 1-0 before 1100 fans at the Ice Center. The Golden Gophers improved to 4-1 on the young season while the Lakers dropped to 3-2.

Sophomore forward Erica McKenzie banged home a rebound with Minnesota up a player at 11:52 of the middle period and freshman goalie Brittony Charier made 30 saves as the Golden Gophers moved to 5-0 lifetime against the Lakers. This was the second meeting between the teams at the Ice Center with Minnesota needing overtime to beat the Lakers 2-1 on October 26, 2001.

The game was action-packed throughout with the Golden Gophers firing 34 shots at Mercyhurst sophomore netminder Laura Hosier and converting on one of five power play opportunities. The Lakers, who finished 0 for 5 up a player, thought they had tied the game in the last minute on a goal-mouth scramble with Hosier pulled for an extra attacker. But Chartier kept the puck from crossing the goal line.

The 33 saves sophomore netminder Laura Hosier made in a 1-0 losing effort against Minnesot last night was the most she has made in her short collegiate career.

Hosier had previously stopped 29 Minnesota State shots on October 8, in a 4-2 win.

Both teams had excellent opportunities in the last 90 seconds. First, Hosier denied freshman forward Gigi Marvin on a breakaway and, seconds later, Mercyhurst sophomore forward Stephanie Jones hit the right goal post.

The last time Mercyhurst was in a 1-0 game was on November 21, 2004 in a losing effort against Princeton.

Both teams will conclude the weekend series with a 3:00pm start Saturday.