ERIE, Pa. – The first-ranked Mercyhurst College women's hockey team earned a berth in the Women's Frozen Four for the second consecutive season, defeating No. 8 Boston U. 4-1 in an NCAA Quarterfinal game Saturday, March 13 in front of 1,300 fans at the Mercyhurst Ice Center. The Lakers will take on No. 5 Cornell in the NCAA Semifinals Friday evening at Ridder Arena in Minneapolis, Minn.

Mercyhurst captured its 30th victory for the second year in a row with Saturday's win, giving the Lakers a 30-2-3 record. The Lakers have won 10 consecutive games, extending their longest winning streak of the season. The Terriers conclude their season at 17-9-12 with a loss in their first-ever NCAA tournament game.

Sophomore Bailey Bram scored two goals, including the game-winner, while Cassea Schols and Vicki Bendus also tallied for Mercyhurst. Bendus' goal was the 50th of her career. Jesse Scanzano notched three assists, tying her own record for the most helpers by a Laker in an NCAA tournament game.

The Lakers took control of the game early, outshooting the Terriers 10-2 during the first period. Mercyhurst converted two out of three power play opportunities to take a 2-0 lead after one.

Mercyhurst made quick work of a 5-on-4 advantage when Schols unleashed a shot from the point, finding the back of the net at 14:26 for a 1-0 lead. Schols' fifth goal of the season was assisted by Scanzano.

BU was assessed another penalty less than a minute following Mercyhurst's first tally, and the Lakers capitalized while on the ensuing power play. Bendus skated into the attacking zone, and passed to Scanzano, who found Bram for a tic-tac-toe goal at 16:36.

During the second period, the Lakers held a 12-7 advantage in shots on goal, as each team went scoreless, and the score remained 2-0 Mercyhurst after two frames.

Bendus extended the Lakers' lead to three goals at 3-0 2:53 into the third period, deflecting home a Jess Jones shot in front of the net for her 28th goal of the season.

With two Lakers in the penalty box late in the game, BU pulled its goal-tender for a 6-on-3 advantage. The tactic nearly backfired, but BU's Tara Watchorn notched a goal at 13:38 to slice the deficit to two goals at 3-1.

Mercyhurst quickly regained its three-goal lead, as Bram netted her second goal of the game just 10 seconds after BU's tally. Bram stuck with the play, banging the puck between Melissa Haber's pad and the right post for a 4-1 Laker lead. Scanzano and Ashley Cockell assisted on Bram's 29th goal of the season.

Sophomore goaltender Hillary Pattenden made 17 saves for her 29th win on the season, extending her program record for single-season victories. BU's Melissa Haber stopped 29 shots, taking the loss.

For the game, Mercyhurst outshot BU, 33-18. The Lakers went 2-for-5 on power plays, while the Terriers scored once on six power play opportunities.

Notes: The Lakers have now won three out of their last four NCAA tournament games, dating back to March 14, 2009 against St. Lawrence…Scanzano now holds the Mercyhurst record for most points in NCAA tournament play, with seven points, all assists, passing Meghan Agosta, who has notched five goals and one assist… Scanzano has also tied the single-season assist mark with 45 helpers, matching C.J. Ireland's effort from 1999-00…Scanzano is also one assist shy of the career mark of 110, held by Valerie Chouinard…Bram is on a 10-game point-scoring streak, with eight goals and nine assists during the stretch, and is the second Laker with a two-goal game in NCAA competition…Bendus is the eighth Laker all-time with 50 or more goals.