March 1, 2008
Stats
Moon Township, Pa. -
No. 7 Mercyhurst wasted a two-goal lead halfway into the third period, but left the RMU Island Sports Center with a hard-fought 5-4 overtime win over Robert Morris. Sophomore Meghan Agosta got the game-winner three minutes in the extra session. The Lakers end the regular season with an overall record of 24-7-3 and a CHA record of 9-2-1. RMU dropped to 12-2-1-1 and 2-10-0, respectively.
While the Lakers can now boast six consecutive CHA titles or co-titles, Wayne State took the first seed in next weekend's tournament at Niagara by tiebreaker. The Warriors owned a 2-1-1 advantage over Mercyhurst in four regular season games. Both WSU wins came in overtime.
The Lakers led 2-0 after the first period on a power-play goal by Valerie Chouinard, assisted by Meghan Agosta and Jesse Scanzano, and an even-strength marker by freshman Cassea Schols, assisted by Hayley McMeekin and Geena Prough.
The Colonials tied the contest in the middle period on a power-play goal by Megan Picinic and an even strength marker from Sara O'Malley.
Mercyhurst recaptured its two-goal lead in the third on tallies from McMeekin and Kristen Erickson. But, the Colonials forced overtime in the last ten minutes of regulation on an even-strength goal by Alissa Dorman and an extra-attacker goal by Kylie Rossler.
Agosta scored at the 3:10 mark of overtime to give the Lakers the win. The goal was assisted by Stephanie Jones and Chouinard.
Mercyhurst outshot RMU, 49-22. Senior Laura Hosier made 18 saves, while RMU's Brianne McLaughlin made 44.
RMU finished 1 of 6 on the power play whioe the Lakers wound up 1-for-7.
The stage is set for the CHA Tournament next weekend at Niagara. Wayne State and Robert Morris will meet in the first semifinal Friday, March 7, at 3:00pm, while Mercyhurst will face off against host Niagara at 7:00 p.m. The two winners will meet for the championship Saturday at 7:00pm.