Oct. 22, 2005

Box Score

Erie, Pa. - Minnesota sophomore forward Erika McKenzie scored two goals and freshman forward Gigi Marvin added a goal and an assist as the fourth-ranked Golden Gophers rallied to defeat the eighth-ranked Lakers 4-2 before a sellout crowd of 1500, the largest crowd ever to view a women's game, at the Ice Center. #4 Minnesota improved to 5-1 overall and to 6-0 lifetime against Mercyhurst. The eighth-ranked Lakers, who dropped a 1-0 game Friday night to the Golden Gophers before 1100 fans, slipped to 3-3

The Lakers gave their fans plenty to cheer about in the first period as they scored early and late. Sophomore forward Stephanie Jones notched her first of the season at 3:44. The goal, assisted by junior defender Michelle Bonello and freshman forward Valerie Chouinard, marked only the second time in six meetings that the Lakers had the upper hand against Minnesota. Junior winger Stefanie Bourbeau gave Mercyhurst a two-goal advantage, its largest lead ever against the Golden Gophers, with a nifty marker later in the period. Bourbeau took a pass from linemate Julia Colizza and beat Minnesota goaltender Brittony Chartier in close - from her knees - at 18:37. But back-to-back Mercyhurst penalties, one late in the first and the other early in the second, eventually turned the momentum in Minnesota's favor.

The Lakers killed the first minor penalty, which carried over into the middle frame, but were penalized again just 22 seconds later and the Gophers quickly capitalized. Freshamn forward Gigi Marvin scored at 2:03, just eight seconds into the infraction, and Minnesota was back in the game. Later in the period, Minnesota put two on the board within a three-minute span to take a lead it would never relinquish. Sophomore forward Bobbi Ross scored at 8:38 and McKenzie scored the first of her two goals at 11:39 to give the WCHA team its first lead.

The score remained that way until late in the third when, with Lakers' goalie Laura Hosier on the bench for an extra attacker, Minnesota blocked a shot at its line and McKenzie skated up ice and scored into an empty net.

Minnesota outshot Mercyhurst 34-28. Only seven minor penalties were called in the game, four to Minnesota. The two Mercyhurst goals represented the most ever scored by the Lakers against the Golden Gophers, but they weren't enough.

The road doesn't get any easier for Mercyhurst, who now must face #1 St. Lawrence next Saturday and Sunday at the Ice Center. The Lakers are just 1-9-2 lifetime against the Saints. last year, Mercyhurst lost a one-goal game (1-2) and tied the other (2-2, ot) in a weekend set at Canton, N.Y.