Sept. 22, 2006

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Erie, Pa. - Sophomore forward Valerie Chouinard's late second period goal snapped a 2-2 tie and Mercyhurst went on from there to defeat Etobicoke 4-2 in an exhibition game at the Ice Center. The Lakers improved to 2-0-1 against the Dolphins in the all-time series. Etobicoke was formerly known as the Telus and then Durham Lightning.

Mercyhurst scored both early and late first period power play goals sandwiched around an even strength marker by the Dolphins. Junior assistant captain Stephanie Jones lit the lamp at 2:01 and senior Jill Nugent closed the initial period scoring with a power play goal of her own at 16:00. Etobicoke defender Ronda Curtin knotted the contest at 1-1 with a lamplighter at 2:53. Mercyhurst outshot the Dolphins 14-8 in the opening twenty minutes.

The suburban Toronto team tied the game for the last time midway in the second period when former Mercyhurst standout Teresa Marchese scored another extra-skater goal at 11:56. But Chouinard, last year's all-everything as a freshman, banged home a rebound at 16:58 for the game-winner. Freshman forward Meghan Agosta, a member of Canada's Olympic gold medal-winning team, finished the scoring and Etobicoke with an early third period score.

Mercyhurst outshot Etobicoke 47-26 in the game which was interrupted by 26 minor penalties, 14 to the Lakers. After cashing two power play goals in four first period opportunities, Mercyhurst was blanked the next six times by Dolphins' netminder and former Mercyhurst All-American, Desi Clark. Etobicoke finished 1 for 10 with the extra skater.

Sophomore Courtney Drennen, who relieved junior starter Laura Hosier late in the second period, picked up the win. She and Hosier combined for 24 saves. Clark, pulled in the final minute for an extra skater, totaled 43 stops.

Mercyhurst will open regular season play next weekend when it visits Maine for a pair of games.