ERIE, Pa. – A late third-period goal by Maggie Knott helped the Mercyhurst women's ice hockey team force overtime before the Lakers fell 2-1 in the extra period to the sixth-ranked Minnesota Golden Gophers Friday evening at Mercyhurst Ice Center.
 
Mercyhurst (2-7-2) played arguably its best period of the season in the third, outshooting Minnesota 15-2. The Golden Gophers (8-3-1) got the best of the Lakers for the rest of the game with a 19-6 shot advantage over the first, second, and overtime periods.
 
Nicole Schammel scored the lone goal for Minnesota in the first period, capitalizing 11 seconds into the Gophers first power play of the game. Taylor Wente and Grace Zumwinckle had assists.
 
After a scoreless second period, Mercyhurst pressured the Golden Gophers throughout the third. The Lakers got on the board with 1:43 remaining when Knott tied the game at one on a rising wrist shot over the shoulder of Minnesota goalie Alex Gulstene. Michele Robillard and Rachel Marmen picked up assists on the play.
 
In the overtime period, the Lakers were caught with too many players on the ice, resulting in a power play that led to the Gophers game-winning goal scored by Wente. Caitlin Reilly and Zumwinckle added assists on the play.
 
The Lakers went 0-for-4 on the power play with three shots on goal while the Gophers finished 2-for-5.
 
Mercyhurst goaltender Sarah McDonnell saved 19 out of 21 shots while Gulstene stopped 20 out of 21 shots for Minnesota.
 
Both teams will be back in action at 2 p.m. on Saturday at Mercyhurst Ice Center to finish the series.