Box Score

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – The ninth-ranked Mercyhurst University women's hockey team scored three goals in the third period to complete a 5-3 win over Syracuse on Friday.  Senior assistant captain Lauren Jones and junior captain Christine Bestland led the team with three points apiece in the victory. 
 
Senior Kelsey Welch tallied her fourth goal of the season, unassisted, less than a minute into the game to give the Lakers a one goal edge.  Mercyhurst is now 21-1-0 this season after tallying the first goal of the contest.  The Lakers had a nine to seven shot advantage after the first period.
 
Syracuse scored the equalizer at 8:50 into the second period when Nicole Ferrara scored off a rebound from a shot from Holly Carrie-Mattimoe.  With less than three minutes remaining in the second, Jones tallied her 11th goal of the season to give the Lakers a 2-1 lead.  On the goal, sophomore Shelby Bram notched her 50th career point and 22nd assist of the season.  Bestland had the second assist and now needs three more to reach 100 for her career.  The Lakers improved to 21-0-0 this season when leading after the second period.
 
But back-to-back goals from Shiann Darkangelo and Julie Kern  gave Syracuse a 4-3 lead halfway through the third period.  But Mercyhurst regrouped and scored three unanswered goals including Jones' empty net with 30 seconds left in regulation. Syracuse outshot Mercyhurst 13-9 in the third.
 
Bestland scored her 24th goal of the season at 11:03 into the third from freshman Emily Janiga and Welch.  Senior Stephanie DeSutter collected her second game-winner of the season from Jones and senior Gina Buquet at 16:10. 
 
The Orange was given a power-play with 2:47 left in regulation time and trailing 4-3.  Syracuse was held to just one shot on goal during the penalty, which evolved into a 6-on-4 advantage after goaltender Kallie Billadeau was pulled with 1:16 left in regulation.  The Lakers killed penalty and Jones then scored her second goal of the contest into the empty net to give the Lakers the 5-3 victory.  Sophomore Molly Byrne recorded her 50th career assist on the empty net goal.
 
For the first time this season, the Lakers were tied in shots on goal throughout the three periods.  Mercyhurst and Syraucse both attempted 30 shots on goal and were held scoreless on the power play.
 
Senior goaltender Stephanie Ciampa (14-1-0) picked up her fifth straight win by stopping 27 of 30 shots.  Billadeau (14-7-0) allowed four goals on 30 shots while taking the loss for Syracuse.

With the win, the Lakers increased their lead over second-place Syracuse to three points.
 
The two teams are back in action tomorrow at the Tennity Ice Pavilion.  Faceoff is set for 2:00 p.m.