ERIE, Pa. – The Mercyhurst women's ice hockey team gave up three first period goals and couldn't make up the deficit, losing 3-1 to the #6 North Dakota Fighting Hawks Friday evening at Mercyhurst Ice Center. The game was the first of the season for both teams.
 
North Dakota quieted the crowd of 836 in attendance early on a power-play goal. After a hooking penalty was give to Michele Robillard 2:45 into the first period, the Fighting Hawks cashed in just before the 16:00 mark. Halli Krzyazaniak ripped a shot from the point and scored to give North Dakota the early lead. Amy Menke and Gracen Hirschy had assists on the play.
 
Following the early goal, Mercyhurst had three power play opportunities but only mustered one shot on net. Meanwhile, North Dakota pounced on its next opportunity on the man-advantage to double its lead. Ryleigh Houston buried a shot in front of Sarah McDonnell, making it 2-0 Fighting Hawks with 4:04 remaining in the frame. Like the first UND goal, Menke and Hirschy had assists on Houston's tally.
 
North Dakota wasn't finished there, as Hirschy earned her third point of the period on a goal shortly before the end of the period. She maneuvered her way into the offensive zone and, after a great second effort while falling to the ice, scored the Fighting Hawks' third goal unassisted with 2:09 on the clock.
 
In the scoreless second period, Jessica Convery took over in goal for McDonnell. Convery stalled all seven shots she faced, including two more UND power plays. The Lakers also had two opportunities a player up but did not beat Fighting Hawks' goalie Lexie Shaw.
 
In the final period, Mercyhurst was unable to convert on two more North Dakota penalties at 2:29 and 5:01. It wasn't until 17:40 had gone by in the frame when the Lakers broke the shutout. Sarah Hine cashed in on a six-on-four play goal from the left circle with assists to Paige Horton and Jillian Skinner to cut the UND lead to just two. The Lakers didn't have enough time following the goal to comeback though, and lost 3-1.
 
While the Fighting Hawks were two for four on their power play chances, Mercyhurst finished one of nine with eight total shots on their power plays. Hirschy finished as the game's first star with one goal and two assists.
 
The Lakers host UND tomorrow at 1:00 p.m. at Mercyhurst Ice Center to complete the two-game season-opening series.