BOSTON, Mass. – The Northeastern Huskies scored five unanswered third-period goals to come from behind and defeat the Mercyhurst University women's hockey team, 7-3, on Saturday afternoon at Matthews Arena. Northeastern improved to 4-1-1 while the Lakers (0-3-1) lost their third straight as Northeastern swept the weekend series.

Mercyhurst, which used both freshman Sarah McDonnell and sophomore Jessica Convery in goal in yesterday's 5-4 setback, opted to give freshman Kerri St. Denis her first collegiate start. The Huskies countered with freshman Brittany Bulgalski, who stopped 28 of 29 Mercyhurst shots in relief Friday.

As they did in the opener, the Lakers opened the scoring in the first period when senior forward Emily Janiga scored her third of the year, from freshman Rachael Smith, at 9:19. Just over seven minutes later, Mercyhurst extended its lead to 2-0 when junior winger Taylor Accursi banged home her first of the year - and fourth of her career - with help from freshmen Sarah Hine and Molly Blasen.

The Lakers outshot the Huskies 13-8 in the first period.

Northeastern cut the Lakers' lead in half when senior forward Kendall Coyne scored her team-leading ninth goal of the season, while on a power play, at 2:03 of the second. Four minutes-and-change later, junior forward Paige Savage got Northeastern all even with her first of the season.

Mercyhurst, however, moved back in front at 12:07 when senior defender J'nai Mahadeo scored her first goal of the season, while on a power play. Sophomore forward Brooke Hartwick and Smith helped. It was Smith's first collegiate multiple-point effort.

Mercyhurst outshot Northeastern 12-10 in the middle period.

Then, Northeastern took control in the third. It took the Huskies and sophomore Denisa Krizova just 18 seconds of the third to square things at 3-3. Krizova scored again 2:24 later and the Huskies had their first lead of the game at 4-3. Coyne scored her second of the game and tenth of the season at 9:53 for a two-goal advantage. Senior Jordan Krause made it 6-3 when she cashed a power play opportunity at 15:06 and Krizova poured more salt in a wound at 16:59 when she completed her hat trick, this time scoring shorthanded.

Northeastern outshot the Lakers 14-5 in the third and 32-30 for the sixty minutes.

St. Denis (0-1) made 25 saves in her collegiate debut while Bugalski recorded 27. The Lakers finished with six minor penalties and were 1-of-8 with the skater advantage. The Huskies had eight minors and finished 2-of-6.

After the Lakers took a 4-0 first-period lead Friday, Northeastern outscored them a combined 12-3 the rest of the way.

Mercyhurst will return to home ice next weekend when it hosts Princeton University for a pair of non-Conference games Friday and Saturday. Friday's contest will start at 3:00 p.m. while Saturday's will begin at 2:00 p.m. Saturday will also be the program's annual Beef & Beatles fundraiser. The games against the Tigers will be the first since the Lakers swept a pair in New Jersey on November 23 and 24, 2007.