Box Score

ERIE, Pa. – The eighth-ranked Mercyhurst University women's hockey team beat the University of Maine 2-1 on Friday evening. The Lakers improved to 4-3-1 in the season. The Black Bears fell to 0-4-1.

Sophomore Emily Janiga scored just two minutes into the first period to mark her second goal of the season. The Lakers were on the offensive attack and moving the puck around Maine's goaltender Meghann Treacy. Paige Horton moved the puck to senior Christine Bestland at the left side of the faceoff circle. Bestland then took a shot on net which Treacy gave up a rebound to Janiga who stuffed the puck into the back of the net.

The Lakers headed into the second period with a 1-0 advantage. Maine however kept the pressure on as they attempted ten shots on net to the Lakers' 15.

The Black Bears finally broke through Mercyhurst goaltender Amanda Makela at the 3:58 mark into the second period. Jess Vallotton capitalized on the second power-play opportunity that was given to Maine. Vallotton used the screen by one of her teammates to shoot from the blue line past Makela to the top right corner of the net. Emilie Brigham and Kayla Kaluzny added the assists.

Mercyhurst answered back before the end of the second period to regain the lead. The even-strength goal by senior Christine Bestland was scored with just 4:40 left to go in the middle period. Bestland took a shot that hit the pads of Treacy, which Bestland then lifted over top of the netminders glove. Senior Christie Cicero and sophomore Maggie Rothgery added the assists.

The late second period goal was enough as both goaltenders did not let a puck pass through in the third period. Mercyhurst outshot Maine 43 to 24 throughout the entire contest. Bestland led the team with eight shots on net, while Cicero was second with an attempted six.

Makela improved to 4-3-1 after allowing just one goal of the 24 shots faced in the 60:00 minute played. Treacy fell to 0-4-1 in the season after allowing two goals and stopping 41 shots.

With the goal, Janiga is just four points away from her career 50 while at Mercyhurst. Sophomore Jenna Dingeldein is still three points away from her career 50 while senior Kaleigh Chippy is eight points away. Bestland is also approaching a career milestone as she needs just 16 points to reach her career 200 points.

Mercyhurst will host the University of Maine in the second of the two-game series at the Mercyhurst Ice Center on Saturday, October 26 beginning at 2:00 p.m. Saturday also marks the Lakers annual "Beef and The Beetles" fundraiser at the conclusion of the contest.