Oct. 20, 2007

Stats

Duluth, Minn. - Both teams now have early-season blemishes as #2 Mercyhurst and #5 Minnesota Duluth battled to a 1-1 overtime tie Saturday at the Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center. The Lakers, now 5-0-1, and Bulldogs, 4-0-1, will meet tomorrow afternoon at 2:05 to conclude the weekend series. It was the first-ever regular season meeting between the teams and the first get-together since UMD beat Mercyhurst 3-2 in the NCAA playoffs last March.

Senior captain Stephanie Jones scored the Lakers' lone goal, a power play, at 2:40 of the second period to give Mercyhurst a 1-0 lead. The goal was the third of the season for Jones and the first given up by the Bulldogs in five games this season. Freshman Vicki Bendus had the lone assist.

The score remained that way until 4:38 of the third when UMD sophomore forward Elin Holmlov notched her second if the season, an even strength marker, with help from sophomore linemate Saara Tuominen. The two teams couldn't break the tie the remainder of the contest.

Senior goalie Laura Hosier (3-0-1) made 23 saves for the Lakers while sophomore counterpart Kim Martin turned aside 34 Mercyhurst scoring attempts. The Lakers finished 1 of 5 on the power play while the Bulldogs were blanked in two chances.

"I was very proud of how our young team played," head coach Michael Sisti said after the nail-biter. "We're getting better every game and I thought we responded well after Minnesota Duluth tied the game in the third. Tomorrow's contest should be another great one."

The Bulldogs were held without a single-shot for the first time in the history of their storied program during the second period, and were outshot 27-8 through the first 40 minutes of regulation play.

Sophomore forward Meghan Agosta nearly ended matters late in overtime but her scoring attempt hit the pipe.

Mercyhurst is now 22-15-3 lifetime against teams from the Western Collegiate Hockey Association and 0-1-1 against the Bulldogs. UMD defeated the Lakers 3-2 on overtime last March in an NCAA Quarterfinal game played at the Ice Center. Jones scored the first goal of that game as well.

Sunday's finale becomes even more meaningful as #1 Wisconsin was upset 2-1 Friday night at St. Cloud State.