ERIE, Pa – The Mercyhurst women's ice hockey team skated past Lindenwood on Friday evening at the Mercyhurst Ice Center courtesy of a three goal first period for the Lakers. The win propels the Lakers (15-7-2, 5-2 CHA) into the top spot on the College Hockey America standings.

Vanessa Upson helped push the Lakers out to an early lead as the freshman scored her first two goals of the new year within the opening 11 minutes of the first period. The freshman scored her first of the contest just three minutes and 18 seconds into the contest, Upson would follow up her first goal with a second coming 48 seconds after the halfway mark in the period when she snuck a fast break shot past the right shoulder of the Lindenwood goaltender. Kristy Pidgeon and Emily Pinto each were credited with assists.

The Lakers added their third goal of the period with three minutes and 30 seconds remaining in the first when Emily Pinto scored her second goal in as many games dating back to the LIU series. The senior took a wrister on the break which was placed perfectly in the top left corner of the net. Sarah Nelles and Paige Whaley received assists and for Whaley, it marked her first career collegiate point for the sophomore from Carlisle, Ontario.

The two teams would play the duration of the second and beginning half of the third period scoreless until Lindenwood's Thea Jørgensen was able to snipe a shot from distance which erased any possibility of a shutout. The score would remain 3-1 Lakers going into the final horn.

Ena Nystrøm started in between the pipes for Head Coach Mike Sisti. She saved 35 of the 36 Lindenwood shots that were put her way.

The Lakers will return to the MIC tomorrow at 2:00 p.m. to close out their series with the Lions. It could potentially be the first sweep for Mercyhurst since they swept RIT back on November 19 and 20th.