Erie, Pa. - #2-ranked Mercyhurst used a relentless offense to upend visiting Maine, 4-0, Friday night before over 500 fans at the Ice Center. All four goals were scored in the third period as the Lakers featured four different scorers.
Although outshooting the Black Bears 35-6 through two periods, the teams were deadlocked at 0-0. Sophomore Meghan Agosta was denied her third goal of the season as Genevieve Turgeon stopped a breakaway. Junior Melissa Dianoski was also stopped on a point-blank one-timer in the slot.
The Lakers finally broke through at the four minute mark of the third period as senior forward Kristen Erickson scored her first goal of the season. The goal was assisted by Dianoski and freshman Geena Prough. Feeling the momentum, junior blueliner Natalie Payne followed just two minutes later on a one-timer at the blue line after Valerie Chouinard won the faceoff. Mercyhurst scored goals three and four just 17 seconds apart as freshman Vicki Bendus notched her first collegiate goal at 14:02, assisted by freshman Cassea Schols. Junior Hayley McMeekin scored her first goal for the blue and green, which was assisted by freshman Jesse Scanzano and senior Danielle Ayearst.
The Lakers outshot Maine 66-8, including a 31-2 advantage in the final period. Turgeon was named the game's first star as she made 62 saves. Senior Laura Hosier made all eight saves.
Mercyhurst was 2-for-8 on the power play while Maine was 0-for-5.
The teams will conclude the weekend series tomorrow afternoon at 2 p.m.