In the two teams’ first-ever meeting, Mercyhurst played to a 3-3 overtime tie against Bemidji State Saturday.
The draw left the Division I ninth-ranked Lakers with an overall record of 8-5-1. Bemidji State is now 5-2-4. Although unranked, the Beavers own ties with fourth-ranked Minnesota and Ohio State.
Mercyhurst scored twice in the first period as freshman forward Sara McDonald scored her fourth goal of the year at 8:31, followed by a power-play goal from sophomore Britney Millar at 19:24. Millar’s goal was also her fourth. Mercyhurst outshot Bemidji 11-3 in the opening 20 minutes.
The teams then combined for three goals within a five-and-a-half minute span of the second. Bemidji State sandwiched goals from senior defender Kristie Hofer at 4:01 and junior defender Lisa Peters at 9:39 around Millar’s second of the game at 6:33.
BSU junior forward Kerri McEwen got the equalizer for the Beavers at 13:58 of the third. The Lakers had a chance to win in the last minute but missed an open net from close range. Mercyhurst played without the services of junior forward K.C. Gallo and junior defender Natalie Schembri.
Gallo suffered a leg injury in practice Friday night at Bemidji and will probably be out the rest of the season. Schembri did not make the trip because of requirements in her major.
Mercyhurst outshot Bemidji State 34-27. Both teams were penalized six minutes and converted one of three power play opportunities. Junior Tiffany Ribble was in goal for Mercyhurst while junior Bre Dedrickson was between-the-pipes for the Beavers.
Mercyhurst and Bemidji State will conclude the two-game series Sunday afternoon.
