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MOON TWP, Pa. – The ninth-ranked Mercyhurst University women's hockey team enters their first weekend of conference play against Robert Morris University on Friday, November 8. The weekend series will conclude on Saturday, November 9. Both contests are set for a 3:00 p.m. start.

The Lakers had a weekend of rest after capturing their first sweep of the season against the University of Maine on October 25-26. Mercyhurst currently holds a 5-3-1 overall record which keeps their national rankings in the USCHO.com and USA Today/ USA Hockey Magazine polls. The Lakers currently hold an unbeaten streak of 3-0-1 starting with a win and tie over nationally ranked Clarkson back on October 18.

Mercyhurst holds a 32-5-1 overall record against Robert Morris throughout their history. The in-state rivals started recently as the Colonials have pushed back to capture their first contest against the Lakers in January of 2012. That same season, the Colonials snapped the Lakers CHA Championship winning streak, taking their first CHA Championship in program history.

Since then, Mercyhurst and Robert Morris have created a back and forth rivalry with the Lakers trailing 4-5-1 in the last ten meetings. Last season, the Lakers were swept against the Colonials (3-1;2-1) at the RMU Sports Complex. The Lakers look to return the favor this weekend and snap Robert Morris' three game-winning streak at home over Mercyhurst.

Junior Amanda Makela has started in goal in all nine contests for the Lakers to contribute to the 3-0-1 unbeaten streak. Makela is 5-3-1 while in net after allowing just 15 goals and has made 217 saves for a .935 save percentage. Makela is averaging 1.66 goals against per game and has collected three shutouts this season. In the last four contests, Makela has allowed just two goals in 95 shots faced which contributed to Makela's three consecutive CHA Goaltender of the Week nods. She also collected her first CHA Goaltender of the Month award this season.

Senior Christine Bestland leads the Lakers with 14 points on five goals and nine assists. Bestland tallied her first game-winning goal in the 2-1 win over Maine on Friday, October 25 and also contributed an assist in the first goal of the contest. Bestland added two assists on Saturday to tab her fifth multi-point contest this season.

Junior Shelby Bram is second on the team with eight points and is second on the team with six assists. Senior Christie Cicero is third on the team after collecting three points over the weekend stretch against Maine. Sophomore Emily Janiga has notched three goals and an assists in the last four contests to place fourth on the team with six points.

Robert Morris owns an 8-2-0 overall record and swept Penn State last weekend for t a record of 2-0-0 in the CHA. The Colonials have received votes the last two weeks in both the USCHO.com and USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine polls. They are just 18 points away from No. 10 Boston University who the Colonials took down earlier in the season.

The Colonials freshman Brittany Howard has collected 17 points on four goals and 13 assists to lead her team in points. Senior Kristen Richards is second with 10 while Thea Imbrogno is third with nine points.

Goaltenders Courtney Vinet and Jessica Dodds have split time in net for the Colonials. Vinet has a record of 2-2-0 overall, allowing nine goals for a 2.25 goals against average and a .905 save percentage. Dodds holds an undefeated record of 6-0-0 in net with nine goals against for a 2.25 goals against average and a .932 save percentage.