Oct. 21, 2006

Stats

Erie, Pa. - Senior forward Stefanie Bourbeau's fourth career hat trick rallied #4 Mercyhurst from an early 2-0 deficit as the Lakers defeated #7 Dartmouth 5-3 Saturday afternoon before over 1000 fans at the Ice Center. The win was the first-ever for the Lakers in seven tries against the Big Green as Mercyhurst improved to 4-0-1. It was Dartmouth's first game of the 2006-07 season.

The win was an uphill battle from the opening whistle as the Lakers were assessed three minor penalties in the game's first 66 seconds. Dartmouth senior forward Gillian Apps, one of three Olympians in the Big Green's Saturday lineup, scored the first of her two first period power play goals just 47 seconds into the tilt. An interference call against Mercyhurst just six seconds into the contest provided Dartmouth with an early opportunity, one it didn't squander. The Big Green had a chance to expand the lead with back-to-back Mercyhurst penalties at :47 and 1:06, but Mercyhurst's defense stiffened and denied Dartmouth for 1:41 seconds of a two-man advantage. Apps nailed her second power play goal midway in the frame, 25 seconds following the fourth of five minors whistled against Mercyhurst in the opening 20 minutes. But Bourbeau, whose last hat trick came 19 months ago in a 9-1 College Hockey America quarterfinal win against Quinnipiac at the Ice Center, gave Mercyhurst fans something to cheer about at 15:05 when she cashed her fourth goal of the year with help from Mercyhurst freshman Olympian Meghan Agosta and junior forward Sherilyn Fraser. Senior center Julia Colizza brought the crowd to its feet just 24 seconds later when she scored from in front to square things at 2-2. The team captain's fourth of the year was helped by freshman winger Angelica Lorsell. Thanks to five first-period power plays, the Big Green owned a 12-8 advantage in shots.

Mercyhurst killed an early second period penalty and took its first lead a minute later when Agosta knocked in her own rebound. Junior defender Danielle Ayearst fed the Ruthven, Ontario, native on right wing and the talented freshman did the rest. Bourbeau gave Mercyhurst a two-goal lead with a power play marker at 6:28. Colizza and sophomore defender Natalie Payne assisted. But the Big Green collected its third power play goal of the afternoon courtesy of sophomore defender Sarah Newnam. The Lakers outshot Dartmouth 12-9 in the middle period and left the ice with a slim 4-3 edge.

The Big Green had a second two-man advantage for 37 seconds early in the third, but the Lakers' defense, anchored by junior netminder Laura Hosier, held the Big Green off the board. Bourbeau then finished her hat trick, Dartmouth and the scoring with a power play goal at 10:40. Agosta and Lorsell had assists.

Dartmouth outshot Mercyhurst 29-27 in the exciting contest but, after collecting two power play goals in its first four chances, the Big Green went just 1 for its final 9 attempts. The Lakers finished 2 of 6.

Hosier picked up her 30th career win in making 26 saves. Dartmouth freshman Carli Clemis made 22 stops in absorbing the loss.

The Lakers had only a 0-0 tie at Dartmouth December 14, 2003, to show for six prior meetings. The five goals represented an all-time best against the Big Green. The two teams hadn't played each other since a 4-3 Dartmouth win at a University of New Hampshire Tournament in November 2004 and hadn't battled in Erie since the Big Green won 3-2 and 2-0 contests at the Ice Center in February 2003.

The teams will conclude the two-game series Sunday at 1:00pm. The Lakers will "Skate for the Cure" tomorrow as they attempt to raise funds and awareness for breat cancer research. Anyone wearing an article of pink clothing will be admitted free of charge.