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ERIE, Pa. – The Mercyhurst University women's hockey team hosts St. Lawrence University in a mid-week series beginning on Tuesday, November 26 at 7:00 p.m. at the Mercyhurst Ice Center. The series will conclude on Wednesday, November 27 with puck drop beginning at 3:00 p.m. before the holiday weekend.

The Lakers are heading into the battle over the Saints' with an 8-4-2 overall record and is third in the College Hockey America conference with a record of 3-2-1. Mercyhurst is coming off of a split from conference opponent RIT with both contests ending in a one-goal decision. Sophomore Emily Janiga led the Lakers in scoring on a combined two goals and one assist against the Tigers.

St. Lawrence has the all-time record advantage of 10-13-2 over the Lakers but in the past five contests Mercyhurst has owned a 4-1-0 showing. Throughout the entire series, Mercyhurst has been outscored 52 to 38 but in the last five contests the Lakers again have the upper hand by a 24 to 14 scoring margin.

The Lakers senior Christine Bestland continues to lead the team in points as the 2013 portion of the season comes closer to ending. In 15 games, Bestland has scored seven goals and 14 assists for 21 points. Bestland has tallied one short-handed goal, one game-winning goal and is a +15 rating on the season. Looking back to the 2011 season against the Saints', Bestland notched five points on three goals and two assists during the series sweep.

Forward Emily Janiga has ignited after just scoring just two points in her first five contests this season. Janiga has proven herself second on the team in points on seven goals and six assists for 13 points. Janiga is currently tied for leading the team in goals along with Bestland and has scored a game-winning goal as well. Against RIT last weekend Janiga also marked her 25th career goal as a sophomore.

Sophomore Julia DiTondo netted her first collegiate start and win during the 3-2 win against RIT on Saturday. DiTondo made 20 saves and allowed one goal to capture a 1.21 goals against average this season. DiTondo has also captured a .933 save percentage in the 99:15 minutes played this season.

St. Lawrence is currently 6-7-1 overall and is fourth in the ECAC conference with a 5-2-1 showing. The Saints' are currently coming off a 6-4 loss against No. 3 Cornell University. Leading scorer Mel Desrochers has 16 points on the season with a team high 11 assists and has netted five goals. Rylee Smith is second with 15 points while Alex Morre, Brooke Webster, Abbey McRae and Dayle Wilkinson all have ten. Goaltender Carmen MacDonald has a record of 6-2-1 while in net for the Saints' which includes a shutout. She has allowed 16 goals and has made 240 saves for a 1.85 goals against average.