Box Score

ERIE, Pa. – The sixth-ranked Mercyhurst University women's hockey team beat Lindenwood University, 5-1 on Saturday afternoon at the Erie Insurance Arena.  The Lakers improve to an overall record of 19-4-1, and 10-2 in the College Hockey America conference.  Lindenwood fell to 2-23-1 overall and 2-9-1 in the CHA.
 
The contest was scoreless after one period of play.  The Lakers outshot Lindenwood 14-to-10, but were held in check twice on the power-play.
 
Sophomore Jenna Dingeldein  got the Lakers on the board first power with a power play marker at 3:56 of the second.  Senior Stephanie DeSutter and junior captain Christine Bestland tallied the assists.  Lindenwood's Erica Wynn answered at 10:40 after Jocelyn Slattery forced a turnover in front of the Lakers' net.  Bestland quickly regained the lead three minutes later, scoring her fifth game-winner of the season. 
 
Junior Christie Cicero had a break-away opportunity later in the period, but Lindenwood goaltender Taylor Fairchild made the save.  Cicero then redeemed herself and, after creating a turnover, switched from her forehand to backhand and shot the puck into the top-right corner of the net.  Mercyhurst had a 12-to-6 shot advantage in the second period and led 3-1 heading into the locker room.
 
The Lakers completed the scoring with two even-strength goals in the third.  Senior Lauren Jones cashed her seventh goal of the season at 5:11 of the third period.  Freshman Emily Janiga collected her second assist while Vaila Higson recorded the other.  Dingeldein scored her second goal of the night, and twelfth of the season, at the 8:24 mark.
 
Senior goaltender Stephanie Ciampa improved to 11-1-0 in the season, making 24 saves on 25 shots.  Fairchild made 38 saves on 43 shots between the pipes for the Lady Lions.
 
The Lakers outshot Lindenwood 43-to-25 in the contest.  Mercyhurst killed all of Lindendwood's power-plays (5), while the Lakers were 1-for-6 on the afternoon. 
 
Bestland had her career 150th point in Friday's contest, and tallied two more points Saturday to record six points on the weekend.  She needs five more assists to reach 100 assists as a Laker.  Dingeldein had five points on four goals and one assist over the weekend, while Janiga had two goals and four assists for six points.
 
The Lakers will travel to Ithaca, N.Y. to face fourth-ranked Cornell University (14-4-0) on Tuesday, January 29.  The contest is set for 7:00 p.m. at the James Lynah Rink.