Erie, Pa. – The No. 3 Mercyhurst College women's hockey team scored four goals in the first period and never looked back, as the top-seeded Lakers advanced to the College Hockey America championship game with an 8-2 victory over Niagara Friday afternoon at the Mercyhurst Ice Center. With the win, the Lakers improve to 28-5-0 and remain undefeated at home (15-0-0).

Freshman Jess Jones scored three goals, including the game-winner, while junior captain Meghan Agosta increased her team-leading point total to 73 with a goal and four assists. Sophomore Jesse Scanzano tacked in two goals and two assists for four points.

Mercyhurst set the tone in the first period, scoring four goals within a span of 8:35. Freshman Meghan Corbett gave the Lakers a 1-0 lead with her fourth of the year at the 9:56 mark before Jones added back-to-back tallies at 14:28 and 16:30. Scanzano closed out the frame with her 26^th of the year at 18:31.

The Lakers continued their offensive output in the second as Agosta and Jones pushed the lead to 6-0 with scores at 5:28 and 10:59. Niagara caught some momentum shortly after with markers from Leah Whittaker on the power-play at 13:11 and Emilie Castonguay at 16:24, but Scanzano's second of the match pushed the lead back to five with just 15 seconds remaining in the frame.

Freshman Kelley Steadman closed out the game with her 11^th of the year at 6:22 of the third period.

Freshman Hillary Pattenden secured her 21^st win of the season with 11 saves through 49:58 worth of action. Senior Courtney Drennen wrapped up the final 10:02.

Mercyhurst outshot Niagara, 50-13, and converted 2-for-2 on the power-play. The Purple Eagles were 1-for-4 with the extra skater.

The Lakers will play No. 2 Wayne State for the CHA championship on Saturday, March 7 at the Mercyhurst Ice Center.