Dec. 2, 2006

Stats

Erie, Pa. - Freshman forward Meghan Agosta's 12th goal of the year, with just 37 seconds left in overtime, gave #1 Mercyhurst a dramatic 1-0 win over stubborn Princeton Saturday afternoon at the Ice Center. The victory pushed the Lakers' record to 14-1-1 and dropped the #9 Tigers to 8-4-2.

Agosta picked up a pass from senior winger Stefanie Bourbeau just across center red and blasted a shot from the top of the left faceoff circle over the shoulder of Princeton freshman Brittany Parisi. Parisi was brilliant in holding the high-powered Mercyhurst attack at bay for 64:23. The game-winner was Agosta's fourth of the season and gave the Lakers the season sweep over the Tigers for the first time in history.

Mercyhurst squandered an 18-2 first period shot margin that included five power play chances. The second period was a bit closer to the vest with the Lakers owning a 9-3 advantage and a 27-5 advantage after forty minutes.

The Lakers continued their relentless pressure in the third, outshooting the Tigers 20-2, but Parisi held her ground. Mercyhurst junior Laura Hosier was rarely tested in the contest and was helped immensely by defender Natalie Payne in the middle period. Hosier came out to play the puck, got caught out of position, but was rescued by Payne who blocked a shot while sitting on the ice in front of the goal.

Bourbeau, who was shaken up with about six minutes left in regulation after colliding with the crossbar, found Agosta with less than a minute to play and the freshman sensation did the rest.

Mercyhurst outshot Princeton 48-9 overall, but was blanked in 10 power play chances. The Tigers finished 0 for 5.

Princeton's lead in the all-time series shrunk to 7-6-1 including a 4-3-1 edge at the Ice Center. Hosier's shutout was her 4th of the season and 8th of her career. Agosta's 12th lamplighter tied her with sophomore Valerie Chouinard for the team lead and stretched her season point total to 28. The Canadian Olympic gold-medal winner finished the two games with five points including three goals (a power play, a shorthanded, and an even strength) and both game winners.

Mercyhurst will rest until next weekend when it opens College Hockey America play at Robert Morris Saturday at 7:35 and Sunday at 4:05. The Lakers are the defending champions.