ERIE, Pa. – Juniors Vicki Bendus and Ashley Cockell scored two goals apiece as the second-ranked Mercyhurst College women's hockey team completed the two-game sweep of Bemidi State with a 6-1 victory Saturday afternoon at the Mercyhurst Ice Center. The Lakers improve to 2-0 for the fifth time in program history while Bemidji State falls to 0-2.

In addition to their goals, both players also added an assist for three points. Sophomore Jess Jones matched the three-point effort with three helpers, while junior Cassea Schols increased her two-game total against the Beavers to four points with a pair of assists.

Following a 2-0 first period built up on goals from junior Jesse Scanzano and sophomore Bailey Bram, the junior duo of Bendus and Cockell took over in the second.

Bendus put the Lakers in front 3-0 with her first on the power-play at 7:48, while Cockell followed suit with another 5-on-4 score at 10:55. Less than two minutes later Bendus struck again, this time on an even-strength opportunity to make the score 5-0. Cockell finished off the frame with a short-handed score at 16:17.

Just as the previous night played out, the Mercyhurst defense held Bemidji State scoreless through a majority of the game until a late power-play opportunity. Erin Johnson cut the lead to five when she connected off a pass from Annie Bauerfield, breaking up the sophomore Hillary Pattenden's shutout bid with 3:37 remaining in the game. Pattenden finished the afternoon with 16 saves.

Mercyhurst outshot Bemidji State 44-17 and converted 2-for-6 on the power play. The Beavers, meanwhile, were 1-for-7 with the extra skater.

Following this weekend, the Lakers return to action with a two-game series at Rensselaer on Friday, Oct. 16 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, Oct. 17 at 3 p.m.