Complete Box Score

NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. - Freshman goaltender Amanda Makela stopped 17-of-19 Niagara shots in her first collegiate start on Saturday afternoon, helping the fifth-ranked Mercyhurst women's hockey team to a 4-2 victory over Niagara at Dwyer Arena. The Lakers, behind Makela's first career victory, improved to 17-4-1 overall and 3-0-1 against College Hockey America opponents. Meanwhile, the Purple Eagles dropped to 7-11-5 overall and 0-2-0 in conference play.

After needing overtime to knock off Niagara 5-4 on Friday night, Mercyhurst jumped on a bus and headed to Niagara Falls to play Saturday's matinee with the Purple Eagles. Mercyhurst only needed regulation on Saturday afternoon to extend its conference unbeaten streak to 27 consecutive games (26-0-1), getting solid goaltending from Makela and timely scoring from the nation's second-best offense.

The Lakers jumped out in front 1-0 at the 15:57 mark of the first period on an unassisted, shorthanded goal from senior Kelley Steadman. The senior from Plattsburgh, N.Y. is now tied for the team-lead with a career-high 21 goals this season. It was her fourth shorthanded goal of the year, which ties her with Northeastern's Casey Pickett for the nation's lead.

The lead would be short-lived, however, as Niagara would capitalize on a 5-on-3 power play just 23 seconds later. Jenna Hendrikx, who had two assists on Friday, scored her sixth goal of the season. Kathleen Bortuzzo and Erica Owczarczak had the helpers on the goal.

Mercyhurst and Niagara were even in shots through the first twenty minutes, 8-8.

Mercyhurst scored the only goal of the second period, courtesy of sophomore Christine Bestland, who knocked home her 18th goal of the season at the 12:20 mark of the middle stanza. Seniors Pamela Zgoda and Bailey Bram had the assists on the goal, which put Mercyhurst ahead 2-1 after two periods of play. Shots favored Mercyhurst in the second period, 7-4.

Junior Lauren Jones gave the Lakers a 3-1 advantage just 47 seconds into the third period with her 10th goal of the season. She became the fifth player to reach double figures in goals this season, joining Bram, Steadman, Bestland, and senior Jess Jones. It was the Lakers' second unassisted goal of the contest.

But, Niagara would not go quietly. The Purple Eagles got to within one goal at 3-2 two minutes later on a power play goal from Kayleigh Chippy. Kelsey Gunn and Erin Burns had the assists on the goal.

Then, with Mercyhurst on the power play, freshman Molly Byrne buried her fourth goal of the season at the 15:56 mark, capping off the afternoon's scoring. Bailey Bram had her second assist of the afternoon, keeping the national lead in scoring. She has 52 points this season, and is averaging 2.60 points per game, just ahead of Wisconsin's Brianna Decker who averages 2.35 points per contest. Jess Jones had the other helper on the power play goal. Mercyhurst held a 14-7 shot advantage in the third period.

Makela, who had seen mop-up action in two previous games this season, started and won her first career game by stopping 17-of-19 Niagara shots. Meanwhile, Abby Ryplanski stopped 25-of-29 Mercyhurst shots in defeat.

Niagara was 2-for-7 on the power play, while the Lakers were 1-for-6 with the skater advantage.

The fifth-ranked Lakers will play another home-and-home series next Friday and Saturday, January 20 and 21, against conference-rival Robert Morris. Faceoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. both nights, with the teams squaring off in Moon Township, Pa on Friday night and then finishing off the series on Saturday night at the Mercyhurst Ice Center. It will mark the first meetings against former assistant coach Paul Colontino, who took the Robert Morris coaching position last summer.