ST. CHARLES, Mo. - The Mercyhurst University women's hockey team saw its four-game winning streak come to an end on Friday night as the Lindenwood Lady Lions knocked off the Lakers by a 3-1 final at the Lindenwood Ice Arena in suburban St. Louis. It marked the first time in 15 meetings that Lindenwood has defeated Mercyhurst in the all-time series. The Lakers, who had been 13-0-1 against the Lady Lions, fell to 22-8-3 overall and 13-5-1 in the College Hockey America standings. Lindenwood improved to 10-18-2 overall and 7-10-2 in conference play.

Mercyhurst, which clinched its 13th consecutive CHA regular season championship last weekend, allowed two first period goals to fall behind 2-0. With the Lakers shorthanded, Lindenwood jumped on the board when Alyssa West scored her fourth goal of the season at 8:21, beating Mercyhurst junior goaltender Julia DiTondo, who was making her fourth start in the last five games. It was only the tenth power play goal that Mercyhurst had allowed all season - the Lakers entered the contest second in the nation, behind Wisconsin, in killing off penalties.

Lindenwood's Jordyn Constance gave the home team a 2-0 lead with her 14th goal of the season at 12:14. The eventual game-winner was assisted by Katie Erickson.

Junior J'nai Mahadeo tallied her third goal of the season, second on the power play, with 41 seconds left in the opening period to cut the Lindenwood lead in half at 2-1. Junior Emily Janiga and senior Molly Byrne had the assists. With the helper, Janiga moved into a tie for 13th place, with Samantha Shirley, on the program's all-time scoring list with 125 points.

Lindenwood outshot Mercyhurst, 8-6, after the opening twenty minutes.

Holly Dietzler gave the Lady Lions their two-goal advantage back when she beat DiTondo at 5:28 of the second period for her fourth goal of the season.

Mercyhurst outshot Lindenwood, 17-8, in the second period and then outshot the Lady Lions, 11-7, in a scoreless third period. The Lakers were able to pull DiTondo down the stretch but could get no closer.

The difference in the contest was Lindenwood junior goaltender Nicole Hensley, who stopped 33-of-34 Mercyhurst shots to improve to 10-15-2 on the season. The Lady Lion netminder missed the two-game series in Erie earlier in the season. DiTondo suffered her first defeat of the season, turning aside 20-of-23 shots. The goal she allowed to West at 8:21 of the first period snapped a personal 182:38 consecutive scoreless streak.

Mercyhurst was 1-for-6 on the power play while Lindenwood was 1-for-5.

The two teams will conclude the weekend series, and the regular season, on Saturday afternoon. Faceoff is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. (EST).