Feb. 28, 2007

Detroit, Mich. -

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The Wayne State women's hockey team (14-17-1, 6-6-0 CHA/2nd), the tournament's second seed, will try to end a streak against third-seeded Niagara (10-18-6, 5-6-1). The teams face in familiar territory on Friday in the CHA Semifinals at 1 p.m. at Robert Morris' Island Sports Center. This will mark the third straight year the Warriors and Purple Eagles have met in the semifinals with NU winning both times.

The Series
Niagara leads the all-time series, 16-8-0. The teams split the season series, 2-2-0 as both squads won and lost each weekend series.

Behind the Bench
Jim Fetter is in his fourth season at Wayne State and has a record of 56-65-13.

In her eighth year at Niagara, Margot Page has a record of 120-124-26.

Scouting the Warriors
Wayne State swept visiting Robert Morris in the final weekend of the regular season, 5-3 and 2-1. The Warriors had to rally from a 2-0 first-period deficit in Friday's contest, but led 2-0 on Saturday.

After RMU scored the first two goals in Friday's contest, WSU scored five of the next six goals for the win. Freshman forward Brandi Frakie scored the game-winning goal with 4:10 left in the third period.

On Saturday, the Warriors led 2-1 after the first period on goals from freshmen defensemen Christine Jefferson and Chelsea Burnett. Sophomore forward Melissa Boal scored the third goal of the contest which was her 90th career point, making her the program's all-time leader and passing Kelly Zamora (89). Sophmore forward Lindsay DiPietro had three assists on the afternoon.

Boal leads the team in goals (25), points (42), power-play goals (11) and short-handed goals (2), while DiPietro is tops with 29 assists. DiPietro is 11th in the nation in assists per game (0.91).

Junior netminder Valery Turcotte has seen the majority of time in goal and has a record of 10-14-1, a 3.57 goals-against average and a .881 save percentage.

Wayne State has converted 35-of-173 (.202) man-advantage opportunities and killed 132-of-169 (.781) opponent chances.

Scouting the Purple Eagles
Niagara put a chink in then-top-ranked Mercyhurst's armor on Saturday, tying the Lakers, 3-3 in overtime. That excitement came less than 24 hours after Mercyhurst narrowly escaped with a 2-1 victory. The tie dropped Mercyhurst to second in the nation and Niagara remains the only team to have defeated Mercyhurst, having done so on March 6, 2004, a 3-1 victory in Erie.

Sophomore forward Ashley Riggs leads the team in goals (13), assists (17), points (30) and power-play goals (7). Freshman forward Mary McKinnon boasts the squad's only short-handed tally.

Senior Allison Rutledge has seen all but 12 minutes in net for Niagara and has a record of 10-18-6, a 2.61 goals-against average and a .919 save percentage.

Niagara has converted 23-of-196 (.117) power-play opportunities and have killed 186-of-220 (.845) opponent chances.

WSU and NU have played seven common opponents: New Hampshire, Colgate, Cornell, Clarkson, Robert Morris, Quinnipiac, and Mercyhurst. Wayne State is 9-7-1 while Niagara is 6-8-3.

Up Ahead
The winner of Wayne State/Niagara will play the winner of No. 2 Mercyhurst (30-1-3/11-0-1 CHA/1st) and Robert Morris (11-21-2, 1-11-0 CHA/4th) Saturday at 4 p.m.