Oct. 14, 2006

Stats

Erie, Pa. - Mercyhurst remained unbeaten in six meetings with Clarkson, but was forced to settle for a 3-3 overtime tie before nearly 1300 fans Saturday afternoon at the Ice Center. The Lakers, ranked #3 nationally, suffered their first blemish in a 3-0-1 start. After dropping a 5-2 decision to the Lakers Friday night, the Golden Knights left Erie with a 2-1-1 mark. Mercyhurst now leads the all-time series 5-0-1.

Both teams traded solo goals in all three periods. Despite being outshot 42-19, including 3-0 in the extra five minutes, Clarkson never trailed until early in the third period.

The Golden Knights grabbed a 1-0 lead at 15:32 of the first when junior forward Katie Morrison scored an even strength goal with help from linemates Britney Selina and Jessica Cloutier. Mercyhurst freshman winger Meghan Agosta tied the game with a power play goal, her fourth goal of the year and third in the two game series, at 18:00. Agosta was assisted by junior forward Stephanie Jones and senior center Julia Colizza. The Lakers owned a 12-4 advantage in shots in the first period.

Clarkson regained the lead at 4:29 of the second when the same trio struck again following a faceoff deep in the Mercyhurst zone. Morrison's second goal of the afternoon came just 24 seconds after a Mercyhurst penalty. Mercyhurst sophomore forward Valerie Chouinard squared things again about eight minutes later with a power play lamplighter. She got help from senior defender Michelle Bonello. Mercyhurst outshot Clarkson 10-8 in the middle stanza.

The Lakers took their only lead of the game, and collected their third power play goal in the process, when senior defender Ashley Pendleton scored her first goal of the season from defender Danielle Ayearst at 3:07 of the third. But resilient Clarkson got off the deck at 7:53 when senior Ashley Shaidle found the back of the net. The two teams played scoreless hockey the rest of the way.

Mercyhurst sophomore netminder Courtney Drennen made her first start of the season and remained unbeaten in her brief career at 9-0-2. Senior Kira Hurley, who took Friday's 5-2 loss, made 39 saves and was awarded the game's first star. The Lakers converted three power play goals in ten chances while Clarkson finished 1 of 6.

Mercyhurst will rest for a week before continuing a six-game homestand with a pair of games against Dartmouth next Saturday and Sunday. Saturday's game is scheduled to begin at 2:00pm while Sunday's is due to start at 1:00pm. The Lakers will "Skate for the Cure" that day to raise funds and awareness for breat cancer research.