WENTZVILLE, Mo. – Mercyhurst #5 women's hockey travels to Wentzville, Missouri to take on Lindenwood University for its first CHA conference contests since September 28.  The Lakers head into the weekend 8-1-1 and the fifth ranked team in the nation.
 
Mercyhurst swept then #10 Minnesota State- Mankato last weekend.  On Friday, the Lakers scored five goals in eight minutes to explode past the Mavericks 8-0.  Six different Lakers scored a goal, and eight different players had at least one assist.  Freshman Emily Janiga scored a goal and added two assists, sophomore Shelby Bram scored four points on a goal and added three assists in Friday's win.  Saturday the Lakers battled to a 3-1 win against the Mavericks.  Junior Christie Cicero started the scoring, adding her third point on the weekend.  Janiga scored the game-winning goal and added an empty netter to complete the weekend sweep.
 
Mercyhurst is currently on a three game winning streak. They have outscored their opponents 47 to 20 so far, and the team is averaging 4.7 goals per game, which is fourth in the nation. Junior captain Christine Bestland leads the team in points with 24, adding five points against then ranked #10 Minnesota State last weekend.  Bestland leads the nation with 18 assists, and is third in scoring, averaging 2.40 points per game.  Janiga follows closely behind Bestland with 18 points, leading the team with nine goals, and a 30% shot percentage.  Goaltender Stephanie Ciampa is undefeated, 5-0-0 with a 1.40 goals against average and a .934 save percentage.
 
The Lakers are 2-0-0 lifetime against Lindenwood University.  The Lakers hosted Lindenwood in a weekend series on December 14-15, 2011.  The Lakers shut out Lindenwood 9-0 the first game, and won 7-2 the second day.  At the time the Lakers were ranked fifth in the nation.  Bestland notched six points last year on two goals and four assists in the two games.  Sophomore Vaila Higson scored two goals and added two assists.  Senior Lauren Jones scored two goals and added an assist against Lindenwood.  Ciampa made her first appearance of the season last year against Lindenwood, making 20 saves in the 7-2 victory on Saturday, December 15.
 
Lindenwood is in its first year in the College Hockey America conference, and its second year as a Division I program.  Last year the Lions were an independent.  Lindenwood is currently 0-6, losing to Ohio State, Wisconsin, and Minnesota State University- Mankato.  This weekend's contests will be their first conference games for their program.  Sophomore Alison Wickenheiser leads her team in points this season with three on one goal and two assists.  Freshman Lyndsay Kirkham leads in goals with two, one against Ohio State and one against Minnesota State. 
 
The Lakers compete against Lindenwood Friday, November 2 and Saturday, November 3.  The puck drops at 8:00 p.m. (EST) on Friday and at 3:00 p.m. (EST) Saturday.  Live audio will be available, as well as live stats for Friday's contest.
 
To listen to the Lakers take on Lindenwood, please click here.
To watch live stats, please click here.