ERIE, Pa. – The Mercyhurst women's ice hockey team could not overcome an early four-goal deficit in its 5-2 loss to sixth-ranked Minnesota on Saturday afternoon at the Mercyhurst Ice Center.
The Lakers (2-8-2) trailed 4-0 early in the second period before scoring the next two goals to bring them within two, but the Golden Gophers (9-4-1) iced the game with an empty-net goal with a little over two minutes to play.
Sam Isbell netted her first goal of the season to get the Lakers on the board at 12:26 in the second period. She scored two seconds after the expiration of a Laker power play.
Céline Frappier and
Morgan Stacey earned assists on the play.
Maggie Knott made it 4-2 when she scored her second goal of the series early in the third period unassisted. She weaved her way through the Minnesota defense before putting her wrist shot past Gopher netminder Sidney Peters.
Minnesota won the special teams battle with two shorthanded goals while both power plays went a combined 0-for-11. The Golden Gophers chased Lakers' starting goalie
Sarah McDonnell after scoring three goals in the first period.
Kennedy Blair finished the game, stopping 15-of-16 shots faced.
The Lakers have next weekend off as they get ready to host RPI Nov. 24-25. Puck drop for Friday's game is set for 6 p.m.
