May 6, 2008

Erie, Pa. - Head coach Michael Sisti and his staff honored six graduating seniors at the team's annual end-of-the-season dinner tonight at the Lawrence Park Golf Club. Mercyhurst loses six players to graduation: forwards Kristen Erickson, Sherilyn Fraser, Jackie Jarrell, and Stephanie Jones; defenseman Danielle Ayearst; and goaltender Laura Hosier.

After tying Wayne State for the regular season College Hockey America (CHA) title, the Lakers won their 6th straight CHA Playoffs with a 2-1 overtime win over the Warriors on March 8 at Niagara University. Mercyhurst made its fourth successive trip to the NCAAs, but bowed 5-4 in mid-March in the quarterfinals at Minnesota Duluth. The Bulldogs won the national a week later. The Lakers finished the season with an overall record of 26-8-3 and a No. 7 national ranking.

The five players up front participated in a combined 669 games in four years with 111 goals, 180 assists, and 291 points. Goaltender Hosier played in 105 contests and is the career leader in that regard. They were parts of teams that won four straight CHA titles and played in four successive NCAA playoff games. They leave with a combined four-year record of 109-25-14.

Erickson and Fraser were hard-working, two-way performers who, among other areas, excelled in special teams' play. Erickson played 144 games in her career with 14 goals and 17 helpers. She had at least one point in three of the last four games and was selected to the CHA All-Academic Team. Fraser totaled 142 games in her career and had 14 goals and 29 helpers.

Jarrell's promising career was derailed by periodic injuries. She .finished her career with 99 games played, 21 goals and 18 assists.

Jones, the 2007-2008 team captain, played for Team Canada at European Air Canada Cup in January. In addition, she had these other accomplishments: CHA All-Tournament Team and Student Athlete of the Year...scored game-winner in overtime to defeat Wayne State 2-1 in CHA championship game...played in 37 games with 15 goals and 23 assists...third on team in goals (15), fourth in scoring (38 points), and tied for fourth in assists (23)...won Bill Smith Award, an in-house honor for meritorious service on-and-off-the ice...finished career with 54 goals and 75 assists in 138 games played...5th in career points, tied for 5th in goals, 4th in assists and tied for 4th in game-winning goals.

Ayearst, a tower of strength on the back line, finished her career with 146 games played, eight goals and 41 helpers. She was selectedCHA Defensive POTW November 26 and made the CHA All-Academic Team.

Hosier rewrote some of the record book for goaltenders. Among her season and career accomplishments: first in CHA in goals-against-average (1.88) and second in save percentage (.919)...CHA All-Tournament Team...chosen to participate in Frozen Four Skills Challenge in Denver in April...member of Team Canada at European Air Canada Cup in January...finished career first in games played (105), wins (74), and saves (1925)...second in career shutouts with 24...2-time CHA Defensive POTW...member of CHA All-Academic Team...nationally, she was seventh in winning percentage (.726), 13th in goals-against average (2.17).

Nationally, Mercyhurst was 3rd in scoring offense (4.00), 4th in power play efficiency (23.6), 8th in scoring defense (2.11), and 10th in penalty kill (86.0).

Mercyhurst has now won 221 games in nine years, nearly 25 wins a season, has six successive CHA titles, has made four straight trips to the NCAA Tournament, and has an overall winning percentage of .743 (221-69-23).