ERIE, Pa. – The No. 1 Mercyhurst College women's hockey team suffered its first loss of the 2009-10 season Saturday afternoon, as fifth-ranked Minnesota Duluth fended off a late rally in the third period to secure a 4-3 win and a split of the two-game series at the Mercyhurst Ice Center. With the loss, the Lakers fall to 7-1 on the season while the Bulldogs improve to 6-4 overall.

Trailing 4-1 late in the third, Mercyhurst finally cracked Duluth goaltender Jennifer Haras after peppering her with 30-plus shots and only coming up with a goal. Junior Ashley Cockell sparked the Lakers with back-to-back goals just 61 seconds apart, scoring her first on the power play at 13:36 before making it a one-goal game at 14:37.

The late comeback eventually fell short though, as the Bulldogs killed off a late power play and held the Lakers to just a shot over the final three minutes. Haras played a big part in win by turning aside 41 shots and allowing one even-strength goal. Two of the three goals surrendered came on the power-play, as the Lakers converted 2-for-9 with the extra skater. Minnesota Duluth finished 1-for-5 on the power play.

After playing to a scoreless tie in the first, UMD broke out with three straight goals over a six-minute span in the second. Saara Tuominem, Laura Fridfinnson and Audrey Cournoyer built the score to 3-0 before sophomore Bailey Bram answered with a power-play goal with 21 seconds remaining.

Emannuelle Blais put the Bulldogs out in front for good when she scored with 5:25 elapsed in the third.

Sophomore Hillary Pattenden suffered just her fourth loss at Mercyhurst with 20 saves. The Lakers outshot Duluth 44-24, including 18-6 in the third period.

Mercyhurst opens College Hockey America play next weekend with a pair of games at Detroit-based Wayne State on Friday, Nov. 6 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 7. at 2 p.m.