Feb. 5, 2008

Colorado Springs, Colo. - Despite being idle last week, Mercyhurst gained one spot in the latest USA Today/USA Hockey Women's Poll released today. The Lakers, 19-5-2 overall and 4-0-0 in College Hockey America, are now No. 6 nationally with 89 points, just ahead of No. 7 St. Lawrence (88) but well behind first-place Harvard (185).

Mercyhurst will have its hands full this weekend when conference-rival Wayne State (16-6-2, 4-0-0) visits Friday and Saturday for games at 4:30 and 3:00. Wayne State is receiving votes for the first time in this week's poll. The series will feature the top four players nationally in points-per-game. Wayne State juniors Melissa Boal (2.45), Sam Poyton (2.25), and Lindsay DiPietro (2.25) lead the pack while Mercyhurst sophomore Meghan Agosta (2.23) is fourth. Both teams average 4.08 goals-per-game. The Lakers allow 1.92 while the Warriors surrender 2.96.

The Lakers have won five straight, but have been resting since sweeping Quinnipiac January 25 and 26. The Warriors have won eight straight, a school record, and are unbeaten in their last nine (8-0-1), also a team record.

ABOUT THE POLL: The 11th annual USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine Women's College Hockey Poll is conducted each week in conjunction with the American Hockey Coaches Association. The poll includes input from coaches and journalists representing each of the six NCAA Division I ice hockey conferences, as well as composite votes from officers of the American Hockey Coaches Association and USA Hockey Magazine, the most widely distributed hockey magazine in the world.

Team (First Place)	         Record	Pts	Last Week
1. Harvard (15)              19-1-0  	185	1
2. New Hampshire (3)         23-3-1	167	2
3. Minnesota Duluth (1)      24-3-1	161	3
4. Minnesota	         21-4-3	131	4
5. Wisconsin 	         20-6-2	109	5
6. Mercyhurst	         19-5-2	89	7
7. St. Lawrence	         20-7-1	88	6
8. Clarkson	         18-6-4	48	9
9. Connecticut               17-4-5     46        8
10. Dartmouth	         12-7-4	18	NR