SYRACUSE,  N.Y. -- Winning goaltender Sarah McDonnell totaled 39 saves, helping the Mercyhurst women's ice hockey salvage a weekend split with Syracuse as the Lakers took a 3-1 decision in College Hockey America play on Saturday.

Jenna Dingeldein and Rachael Smith had a goal and an assist each for MU (10-8-4, 7-1-2), which regained sole possession of first place in the conference over the Orange (10-11-3, 6-2-2). Paige Horton also tallied a goal.

Horton and Dingeldein provided goals in the first period as the visiting Lakers took a 2-0 lead. Dingeldein and Emily Janiga recorded assists on on the Horton goal; Smith made an assist on the Dingeldein score. Both first-period goals occurred on the power play.

Smith added more insurance with an unassisted Mercyhurst goal in the second.

Syracuse finally got on the board with 7:41 remaining in the third, getting a goal from Nicole Ferrara.

Syracuse dominated the shot totals, 40-14, including a 17-0 advantage in the third period, but McDonnell stood tall.

Orange goalie Jenn Gilligan had 11 saves for the hosts.

Mercyhurst went 2-for-6 on the power play while Syracuse finished 0-for-6.

The Lakers will return to action on Jan. 22-23 with a pair of contests at CHA opponent Lindenwood.