ERIE, Pa. -- The Mercyhurst women's ice hockey team defeated Penn State, 3-1, at the Mercyhurst Ice Center on Friday to clinch a share of first place in the College Hockey America regular season for the 16th consecutive season. The Lakers will look to win the conference title outright when the Nittany Lions visit again on Saturday.

Emily Janiga, Brooke Hartwick and Jaclyn Arbour scored the Laker goals. J'nai Mahadeo made two assists while Sarah McDonnell had 18 stops in net to earn the win.

Janiga got Mercyhurst on the board in the first period, receiving assists from Hannah Bale and Rachael Smith, before Penn State's Amy Peterson tied the contest at 1-all with a power-play goal shortly into the second.

Hartwick's goal -- the game-winner -- occurred 3:21 into the third period. She had assists from Megan Whiddon and Mahadeo. With 1:10 left in the contest, Arbour put the game away with an empty netter, getting helpers from Janiga and Mahadeo.

Mercyhurst had a 34-19 shot advantage, but went 0-for-5 on the power play while PSU was 1-for-5. Nittany Lion goalie Celine Whitlinger totaled 31 saves.

The same two teams will meet at 1 p.m. on Saturday as Mercyhurst celebrates "Senior Day" for its seven four-year players. The Lakers need a win, tie or Syracuse loss against Lindenwood to clinch the outright CHA championship -- and the top-seed in the CHA Tournament.