Box Score ERIE, Pa. – The Mercyhurst women's hockey team played a stellar defensive hockey game but couldn't find the scoring touch, falling to the second-ranked Quinnipiac Bobcats 1-0 in overtime at Mercyhurst Ice Center Saturday afternoon. The Lakers split their two-game series with the Bobcats after winning 3-2 last night.
Contrary to yesterday's game, the Bobcats had the puck in their offensive zone often and held the majority of puck possession throughout the evening. Mercyhurst was able to limit the Bobcat's shooting opportunities to just four in the first period, but the Lakers only managed two shots themselves in the opening frame.
In the second period, Quinnipiac really jumped on the offensive attack and challenged Mercyhurst goalie
Jessica Convery. They fired 12 shots on net in the period, with eight of those shots coming on two power plays, but Convery was excellent between the pipes and kept the puck out to hold the game scoreless. Mercyhurst's
Rachael Smith had the only shot attempt in the period for the Lakers but it was a great chance from in front that was knocked away by the last line of defense - Bobcat goalie Sydney Rossman.
Quinnipiac won the shots battle again in the third period 8-4, but Mercyhurst's best offensive shifts came in this period.
Maggie Knott led a cycling possession along with
Taylor Accursi and
Megan Whiddon midway through the period that resulted in four shot attempts for the Lakers. Meanwhile Convery continued her standout performance in goal to send the game to overtime tied 0-0.
After 62:51 of scoreless, defensive hockey, Quinnipiac broke through thanks to their leading-scoring T.T. Cianfarano. She streaked up the right wing with the puck and went upstairs to beat Convery for her sixth of the season, sealing the 1-0 overtime victory for the Bobcats.
Convery was awarded the game's first star after stalling 28 of 29 shots. Cianfarano earned second-star for her game-winning goal. Rossman was the game's third star after earning a shutout.
The Lakers (1-2-1) play their first road games of the season next weekend when they travel to Ithaca, N.Y to take on Cornell in a two-game series on Friday Oct. 21 and Saturday, Oct. 22. Both game times are set for 3 p.m.
