Mercyhurst, ranked 10th in Division I, scored three third period goals to defeat visiting Cornell, 4-1, and complete a two-game weekend sweep.
After a scoreless first period, Mercyhurst cashed in on a two-skater advantage when sophomore forward Lindsay Barch scored her team-leading sixth goal of the season at 4:37 of the middle period.
The Big Red tied the game at 7:01 when freshman forward Pam Hannah’s 30-footer along the right boards eluded Laker freshman netminder Desi Clark. Hannah’s tally, assisted by sophomore Allison Simpson and senior Eva Nahorniak, was her first collegiate goal.
Mercyhurst wasted little time in breaking the game open in the third. Freshman forward Lindsay Dellow scored her second goal of the season, and first career game-winner, just 64 seconds into the final period.
Sophomore forward Britney Millar scored her third of the year just 15 seconds later to open a two-goal Mercyhurst lead.
Freshman forward Chrissy Yule cashed a power play goal at 9:38 to complete the scoring.
Mercyhurst improved to 8-5 overall and to 6-2 in the Great Lakes Women’s Hockey Association (GLWHA). Cornell fell to 1-7. The Lakers outshot the Big Red, 34-14, and were 2-of-6 on the power play. Cornell finished 0-for-5 with the skater advantage.
Mercyhurst is now 6-1-0 in its last seven and 2-3-0 at home after a tough start. Clark picked up her second win between the pipes while Cornell junior Liz Connelly took the loss.
Head Coach Michael Sisti’s team has six more games to play before the Christmas/New Year’s break and all will be out-of-town.
“I liked what I saw this weekend,” said Sisti. “Our goaltending was solid, we did some nice things on the power play, and our work ethic was excellent. That’s what won today’s game. We finish the first part of the season with six away contests, so we’ll have to continue to be mentally tough.”
Mercyhurst won’t return to the Ice Center until Saturday and Sunday, January 5 and 6, when they entertain Colgate. The Lady Lakers visit Bemidji State (Minn.) next Saturday and Sunday.
