Feb. 18, 2008

Erie, Pa. - Mercyhurst, after a weekend sweep of CHA-rival Niagara, remained seventh in the latest USCHO.com poll released earlier today. The Lakers remain in good position to reach the playoffs for the fourth consecutive year, 26 points ahead of eighth-place Connecticut. The top eight teams advance to the NCAA playoffs, with the top four hosting the first round.

Team (First Place), Record, Points, Last Week
1. Harvard (10), 25-1-0, 145, 1
2. New Hampshire (5), 26-3-1, 138, 2
3. Minnesota-Duluth, 25-4-1, 117, 3
4. Minnesota, 25-4-3, 109, 4
5. Wisconsin, 23-7-2, 86, 5
6. St. Lawrence, 23-8-1, 75,6
7. Mercyhurst, 21-6-3, 64, 7
8. Connecticut, 20-5-5, 43, 8
9. Clarkson, 21-6-5, 33, 9
10. Dartmouth, 14-7-6, 11, NR

Others receiving votes: Providence 3, Wayne State 1

Also, two members of the team were honored by the CHA for their accomplishments last weekend against the Purple Eagles. Senior forward Stephanie Jones was named Player of the Week while freshman forward Vicki Bendus earned Rookie of the Week honors.

Jones had four points, including two game-winning assists, in the Lakers' sweep of Niagara. In Friday's 5-2 triumph, her first goal put MC ahead 2-0, then she assisted on the game winner before adding an insurance tally. The next day, she assisted on the game-winning goal. She recorded 12 shots on goal and finished the weekend with a +4 plus/minus rating.

Bendus recorded seven points on four goals and three assists. She had three goals and two assists in Friday's win. Bendus was a part of all five Mercyhurst's goals, including scoring the game winner. The next afternoon she assisted on the game-winning goal plus added an insurance marker.

The Lakers will head to their final weekend road trip as they play Wayne State Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. and 2 p.m., respectively. The Warriors dropped in the USCHO.com poll after splitting a weekend set against Robert Morris.