No. 1/2 Mercyhurst vs. Robert Morris Photo Gallery

PITTSBURGH, Pa. – The No. 1 / 2 Mercyhurst College women's hockey team extended its winning-streak over Robert Morris to 21 games Friday evening, defeating the Colonials 4-0 in a College Hockey America contest at the RMU Island Sports Center. With the victory, the Lakers improve to 22-2-3 on the season and 9-1-1 in CHA action. 

Junior captain Vicki Bendus and sophomore Bailey Bram scored a goal and added an assist each, while sophomore Hillary Pattenden recorded her fourth shutout of the season with 20 saves.

Sophomore Kelley Steadman and freshman Samantha Watt also netted goals, and juniors Cassea Schols and Jesse Scanzano, sophomore Pamela Zgoda and freshman Lauren Jones tallied assists.

Mercyhurst built itself a 2-0 lead through the first two periods before posting two goals in the third period.

Watt put the Lakers up 1-0 on a set play early in the first period. Off a face-off win by Bendus, Watt took the puck at the blueline and sent it through traffic past an unsuspecting Danica Butterfield with just 5:04 elasped. It was her second goal of the season and Bendus' 28th assist.

The Lakers outshot the Colonials 14-8 and succesfully killed off three RMU power plays during the second half of the frame.

The second period would see the Mercyhurst power play do some damage, as the Lakers converted on one of four extra-man opportunities. Steadman doubled the lead when she backhanded a shot past the RMU netminder at the 9:43 mark. 

MC continued to outshoot the Colonials, holding a 12-10 edge in period and a 26-18 advantage entering the third.

Mercyhurst capped the game with a pair of goals in the final stanza. Bendus increased the score to 3-0 thanks to a feed from Scanzano on a 2-on-1 rush at 6:31, while Bram added a power-play marker at 9:28. Both players now share the team lead with 22 goals apiece. Scanzano, meanwhile, increased her status as the team's assist leader with 30.

The Lakers finished the game with a 34-20 advantage in shots and converted 2-for-6 on the power play. Robert Morris was held 0-for-8 with the extra man. 

Both teams close out the season series on Saturday, Feb. 6, with a 7:05 p.m. contest at the RMU Island Sports Center.