ORONO, Maine -- The University of Maine women's ice hockey team dropped a 6-1 decision to third-ranked Mercyhurst on Sunday afternoon at Alfond Arena in Orono, Maine. The Black Bears see their record move to 2-2-0 on the season, while Mercyhurst improves to 4-0-0. Brittany Dougherty (Chesterfield, Mich.) scored her third goal of the season for Maine.
Mercyhurst took a 1-0 lead just 24 seconds into the game when Meghan Agosta stuffed the puck past Maine goalie Brittany Ott (St. Claire Shores, Mich.). The Lakers extended their lead to 2-0 when Kelley Steadman tallied her fourth goal of the season from Lauren Jones less than two minutes later.
Mercyhurst added two goals late in the first period to take a 4-0 lead into the first intermission. Christine Bestland stuffed the puck past Ott from Bailey Bram at 17:21. Vicki Bendus then beat Ott over her left shoulder with just 1:01 remaining in the first period. Bram also assisted on the goal by Bendus.
Maine got on the scoreboard 3:17 into the second period when Dougherty received a pass from Ashley Norum (Fairbanks, Alaska) and rifled the shot past Mercyhurst goalie Hillary Pattenden. Danielle Ward (Lansing, Mich.) also assisted on the goal. For Dougherty, it was her third goal of the season.
Mercyhurst extended its lead to 5-1 at 16:09 of the second period. Agosta collected the rebound of her initial shot and stuffed it past Ott for her sixth goal of the season.
Steadman extended the Mercyhurst lead to 6-1 when she fired a puck past Ott 5:26 into the third period. Cassea Schols found Steadman to pick up the assist on the goal.
Mercyhurst finished the game with a 51-15 edge in shots on goal. Maine was 1-for-8 on the power play. The Black Bears held the Lakers scoreless in 12 chances.
Maine goalie Brittany Ott stopped 45 shots in goal. She falls to 1-2-0 on the season. Hillary Pattenden made 14 saves in goal for the Lakers. She improves ot 4-0-0 on the season.
Maine returns to action next weekend when they host Quinnipiac for a pair of games on Oct. 15 and 16 at Alfond Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Oct. 15.