Complete Box Score

MANKATO, Minn. - Sophomore Christine Bestland scored her second goal of the game with 2:07 left in regulation, snapping a 4-4 tie, and propelling the Mercyhurst women's hockey team to a 5-4 victory on Saturday afternoon. After the weekend split with the Mavericks, Mercyhurst moved to 2-2 on the season. Minnesota State suffered its first loss of the season, dropping to 3-1.

Bestland finished the day with two goals and an assist, giving her a team-leading five points through four games. Seniors Bailey Bram and Kelley Steadman each tallied a goal, while junior Lauren Jones added the other marker for the Lakers.

The sophomore got the offense going for Mercyhurst with a shorthanded marker at the 5:15 mark of the first period, giving the Lakers their first lead of the weekend. Freshman Shelby Bram registered her first collegiate point, picking up the assist on the goal.

It remained 1-0 until the 1:28 mark of the second period, when Bailey Bram notched her second goal of the season past Minnesota State goaltender Danielle Butters. Bestland and junior defenseman Stephanie DeSutter had the assists on the goal. But, just 31 seconds later, the Mavericks got their offense going with the first of three consecutive goals, the first being cashed in by Nicole Germaine at 1:59. Emmi Leinonen and Kari Lundberg then scored 47 seconds apart midway to give the hosts a 3-2 lead.

Mercyhurst knotted the game at 3-3 when Lauren Jones knocked home her second goal of the season at the 14:54 mark of the second off of assists from junior Jess Jones and senior Pamela Zgoda. The Lakers recaptured the lead nearly three minutes, when Steadman scored her second goal of the season, putting an end to the scoring in a wide-open second period.

The hosts would not go quietly, however, as Lundberg scored her second goal of the game at the 8:25 mark of the third period, once again tying the game, and setting up Bestland's heroics late in regulation. Freshman Kristine Grenier and sophomore Christie Cicero picked up the assists on Bestland's game-winner.

Senior goaltender Hillary Pattenden picked up her 82nd career victory, stopping 38 of 42 Maverick shots. Minnesota State outshot the Lakers 42-29 for the game. Pattenden is now just nine wins shy of tying the all-time NCAA Division I record, held by Wisconsin's Jessie Vetter, who won 91 games for the Badgers. Butters suffered the loss in net for Minnesota State, making 24 saves.

There were only three minor penalties assessed in the game, two to Mercyhurst and one to Minnesota State. Neither team was able to capitalize on the power play.

Mercyhurst will be back on the road next Saturday and Sunday, October 15 and 16, when the Lakers travel to Providence College for a pair of afternoon games. Both faceoffs are scheduled for 1 p.m.