Feb. 22, 2008

Stats

detroit, Mich. - Junior transfer Hayley McMeekin celebrated her return to the lineup after an 18-game absence with her first game-winner as a member of the Lakers as Mercyhurst rallied from an early 1-0 deficit to defeat Wayne State 4-1 Friday night and take over first place in College Hockey America. The Lakers improved to 22-6-3 overall and to 7-1-1 in the conference as they evened the season series against the Warriors at 1-1-1. Wayne State dropped to 18-8-3 and 6-2-1 respectively.

Wayne State's high-scoring trio of Sam Poyton, Lindsay DiPietro, and Melissa Boal gave the Warriors early momentum as Poyton collected her 33rd goal of the season on a power play at 5:28 of the first. Boal and DiPietro helped.

The lead lasted until twelve minutes into the middle period when Mercyhurst senior captain Stephanie Jones banged home her 12th of the year from freshmamn Vicki Bendus.

McMeekin put the Lakers ahead to stay at 7:41 of the third when she tallied her 7th of the season on a power play with help from junior Valerie Chouinard and freshman Jesse Scanzano. It was her fourth power play goal of the season.

Freshman Ashley Cockell gave Mercyhurst some breathing room when she collected her 5th of the year, from Jones, at 12:37. Scanzano closed the scoring with her 11th of the season, into an empty net, at 18:32. Chouinard recorded her second assist of the contest.

Wayne State outshot Mercyhurst 33-29. The Lakers finshed 1 of 4 with the skater advantage while the Warriors ended 1 of 9. After scoring on its second power play opportunity of the game, Wayne State was blamked in its last seven chances.

Mercyhurst senior goalie Laura Hosier (17-5-3) recorded her 70th career win by making 32 saves. WSU senior Valery Turcotte turned aside 25 shots as her record dropped to 13-6-2.

The two teams will conclude the weekend series Saturday afternoon at 2.