Box Score

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Sophomore Hannah Bale scores her first collegiate game-winning goal to lead the tenth-ranked Mercyhurst University women's hockey team to a 2-1 win over Syracuse University on Saturday afternoon.  The Lakers improved to 17-7-3 overall and remain second in the CHA with a record of 10-3-1. 
 
All of the action from the Mercyhurst bench came during the first period as the Lakers tallied both goals before the first 20:00 minutes.  With the two goals, the Lakers also tallied 12 shots on net to the Orange's seven.
 
The first goal came from the Lakers only power-play goal of the evening.  Mercyhurst was given two power-play opportunities overall to go one for two on the afternoon.  Sophomore Jenna Dingeldein tallied her 25^th career goal to mark the first of the contest at the 12:18 mark of the opening period.  Senior Christie Cicero tallied the primary goal and junior Molly Byrne was also awarded an assist.
 
Then for the second straight contest, sophomore Hannah Bale scored a goal to mark her second of the season.  Three minutes left in the first sophomore Jaclyn Arbour set up Bale with an even-strength goal at the 19:51 mark.  The eventual game-winning goal notched Bale's first career game-winner at Mercyhurst.
 
Syracuse battled back in the second period, keeping the shots on goal margin 10 to nine in favor of Mercyhurst.  The Lakers also visited the penalty box often, giving the Orange 4 power-play opportunities throughout the period.  Despite Mercyhurst only allowing two shots on net for the Orange's special teams, Syracuse Margot Scharfe found a way past goaltender Amanda Makela at the 19:51 mark.  The power-play goal narrowed the Lakers lead 2-1 at the end of the second.
 
The Orange pulled their goalie in the final minutes of the contest however it was not enough as Mercyhurst escaped with the win.  Overall, the Lakers outshot the Orange 37 to 25 with a 15 to 9 lead in the third. 
 
Makela made 24 saves to pick up her third straight win in net for the Lakers.  The junior is now 15-6-3 on the season.  Syracuse's netminder Jenesica Drinkwater suffered her second straight loss in net after making 35 saves.
 
The Lakers return to action at the Mercyhurst Ice Center against RIT on Friday, February 7 with a 7:00 p.m. faceoff.  The series will conclude on Saturday, February 8 at 2:00 p.m.  Currently Mercyhurst (2^nd)  is three points ahead of RIT (3^rd) in the College Hockey America Standings.