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 Melissa Boal scored the first goal of the game in WSU's 4-2 loss at Mercyhurst. |
Jan. 14, 2006
ERIE, Pa. - Three Laker goals in the second period proved to be the difference in Wayne State's (6-12-4) 4-2 loss at fifth-ranked Mercyhurst (14-6-2) on Saturday afternoon in Erie.
The Warriors held a 1-0 lead after the first period of play, thanks to freshman Melissa Boal's (Pakenham, Ont./Ottawa Raiders) ninth goal of the season at the 17:36 mark. Ashley King (Winnipeg, Man./River East Lightning) earned her first assist of the season on the play. It marks her first point since she scored against St. Lawrence in a 3-2 loss on Oct. 14.
Sherilyn Fraser got things started for the Lakers at 2:46 in the second period with her first of the season, from Kristen Erickson and Robyn Law. Mercyhurst then took the lead as Stefanie Bourbeau and Valerie Chouinard scored 25 seconds apart, their 12th and 13th goals, respectively.
Despite being down 2-1 through the first 40 minutes of play, shots were even at 22, with WSU edging Mercyhurst, 13-10, in that category in the second period.
Warrior goaltender Tiffany Thompson (Dryden, Ont./Thunder Bay Queens) did her best to keep Wayne State alive in the third period, turning away 16 of MC's 17 shots in the final 20 minutes.
Lindsay DiPietro (Manotick, Ont./Ottawa Lady Senators) narrowed the deficit to one goal with her 10th of the season, assisted by Laura Monk (Mississauga, Ont./Stoney Creek Sabres) and Sarah Campbell (Smithers, B.C./Vancouver Griffins), at the 9:04 mark. MC's Ashley Pendleton would answer just 58 seconds later, however, to keep the Lakers in front for good.
Thompson made 35 saves in the game, giving her a total of 77 for the series. Her counterpart, Mercyhurst's Courtney Drennen, made 28 saves and improved her record to 5-0-0 on the season.
After a total of 15 penalties were called in Friday's contest, just three penalties were called in this game. Mercyhurst failed to score on their lone power-play opportunity, while Wayne State did not receive such a chance.
Rensselaer will come to Detroit next weekend, Jan. 20-21, as part of a doubleheader with WSU's men's hockey team at the Michigan State Fairgrounds. Both games will be broadcast on the Internet via Teamline.
