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Blaine, Minn. – The No. 6 Mercyhurst College women's hockey team concluded the 2008-09 preseason Saturday afternoon with a 4-2 loss to Team USA at the Schwan Super Rink in Blaine, Minn.
Just as the first meeting between both teams, Team USA built up a 2-0 lead courtesy of quick passing and several key power-play opportunities. Former University of Minnesota Duluth product Jenny Potter produced the first two goals, scoring her first just 1:31 into the frame while adding a second with 2:19 left to play.
Team USA controlled the offensive tempo with a 28-15 advantage in shots through the first two periods, but two breaks in favor of the Lakers led to a tied game in the second.
Prough cut the lead to one when she took a loose puck near the blue line and challenged Megan Van Beusekom one-on-one. Her initial shot would be saved, but the ensuing rebound would produce a backhand goal for the second-year player at the 11:44 mark.
Mercyhurst tied the game with less than two minutes to go when McMeekin gathered a puck in front of the net and pushed it past Van Beusekom for a power-play score at 18:02.
Team USA would bounce back though, scoring a goal as the period was coming to a close. Julie Chu took back the momentum with a snipe off a Natalie Darwitz face-off win to make the score, 3-2, with 12 seconds showing on the clock.
The national squad sealed the game in the third with Darwitz tallying her second marker of the series at 15:00.
Team USA outshot Mercyhurst, 43-23, for the game, while converting 3-for-7 on the power-play.
Mercyhurst opens the 2008-09 regular season on Friday, Oct. 10 against Boston University. Game time is set for 7 p.m.
