MINNEAPOLIS, Minn.- The Mercyhurst women's hockey team is ranked ninth in this week's USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine Poll. The Lakers beat Pursuit of Excellence, 7-0, in an exhibition Saturday night.
 
The rankings largely stayed the same after the opening weekend of the season. Minnesota is first, with Wisconsin and Boston College following. Boston moved ahead of Harvard into fourth, dropping the Crimson to fifth. Cornell is sixth, while North Dakota and Clarkson flipped, putting UND in seventh.. Mercyhurst checks in at #9. Minnesota-Duluth moved into the tenth spot this week.
 
Jenna Dingeldein led the Lakers with a hat trick in Saturday's victory. Kirsten Miller recorded a goal and two assists, while Amanda Makela and Julia DiTondo combined for a shutout in net.
 
Mercyhurst begins the 2014-15 regular season this weekend, hosting Providence College in a two-game series. The teams square off on Friday, October 3, at 7 p.m. and then play again the following day at 5 p.m.
 
For the USA Today Poll, please click here.