Complete Box Score

ERIE, Pa. - Senior forward Bailey Bram had a hand in all six goals on Saturday afternoon, leading the Mercyhurst women's hockey team to a 6-2 victory over Yale, and a weekend sweep of the Bulldogs. Mercyhurst has now won seven straight and is 8-2-0 overall on the season. Yale fell to 1-10-0 on the year.

Bram scored a goal in each of the three periods to post her second hat trick of the season, and fifth of her career. She also assisted on Mercyhurst's other three goals to complete her six-point afternoon. It is the second time this season that the Ste. Anne, Manitoba native has scored at least six points in a game. She had a career-high seven points in Mercyhurst's 14-1 win over Lindenwood back on October 29.

Yale jumped out in front 1-0 on an even-strength marker at the 11:45 mark of the first period by Jackie Raines off assists from Stephanie Mock and Kelsey Summers. It marked the first time this season that the Bulldogs have held a lead. But, the lead would be short-lived as Bram scored her 12th goal of the season at the 14:10 mark. Senior Jess Jones and freshman Molly Byrne had the assists on the power play goal.

Mercyhurst outshot Yale 26-7 in the opening twenty minutes.

The Lakers would take command with three consecutive goals to start the second period. Sophomore forward Christine Bestland notched her eighth goal of the year 1:36 into the middle period to give Mercyhurst its first lead of the afternoon. Bailey and Shelby Bram had the assists on the goal.

Jess Jones tipped in a shot from the point by Byrne at the 6:17 mark of the second, while on the power play, to give the Lakers a 3-1 advantage. Bailey Bram had the other assist on Jones' sixth goal of the season. The lead grew to 4-1 when Bailey Bram scored her second of the game and 13th of the season at the 14:25 mark of the second. Bestland and Shelby Bram assisted on the goal.

Yale would try to keep things interesting with a power play goal by Jenna Ciotti two-and-a-half minutes later to round out the second period scoring. Alyssa Zupon and Aleca Hughes had the assists. The Lakers held a large shot advantage again in the middle period, 21-9.

The game would remain 4-2 for much of the third period, until Bram completed her hat trick at the 16:38 mark on the power play. Bestland and senior Kelley Steadman had the assists.

Yale elected to pull its starting goaltender Jaimie Leonoff with 24 seconds left after Mercyhurst was whistled for a minor penalty. But, Steadman would put the icing on the cake with an empty-net, shorthanded goal at 19:50. Bailey Bram and senior defenseman Pamela Zgoda assisted on the goal.

Mercyhurst outshot Yale 22-7 in the final period and 69-23 for the game. Leonoff was admirable in defeat, stopping 63 shots in the game. The freshman came on in relief during Friday's game, and all told, stopped 115 of 125 shots she faced over the weekend. Senior Hillary Pattenden got the win in goal, stopping 21-of-23 Yale shots. It was her seventh win of the season and 87th win of her career, which puts her four shy of tying the NCAA Division I record of 91 held by former Wisconsin goaltender Jessie Vetter.

The two teams combined for 18 minor penalties in the game, with Yale being whistled for 10 minors. Mercyhurst coverted on 3-of-9 power play opportunities during the game, while Yale was 1-of-7 with the skater advantage.

Mercyhurst will not get much of a rest, as it will be back in action on Tuesday night and Wednesday afternoon against St. Lawrence at the Mercyhurst Ice Center. Faceoff on Tuesday is scheduled for 7 p.m. while Wednesday's game is slated for 3 p.m. Wednesday's game will be a "Fan Appreciation Day" and all fans will receive free admission.