Box Score

ERIE, Pa. – The fourth-ranked women's hockey tamed the Nittany Lions of Penn State 5-0 on Friday evening.  Junior captain Christine Bestland and sophomore Vaila Higson led the Lakers, with a goal and two assists apiece. 
 
Mercyhurst improved to 13-1-1 in the season and is 5-0-0 in conference play.  The Lakers are on an eight-game winning streak since losing 3-0 at home to now-#2 Clarkson on October 19.  Penn State fell to 5-9-1 overall and 1-7-1 in the CHA.
 
The Lakers' defense stretched its scoreless streak to 294:35.  The last time Mercyhurst gave up a goal was on Friday, November 2 at 5:25 into the first period at Lindenwood. The program record is six successive shutouts set in the inaugural campaign of 1999-2000.
 
Sophomore Shelby Bram scored her fifth goal of the season and the game-winning goal just one minute into the first period.  Bestland and Higson assisted on the goal.  The Lions and goaltender Nicole Paniccia kept the Lakers' lead at 1-0 heading into the second period.
 
Mercyhurst scored two power-play goals in the second period.  Senior Stephanie DeSutter notched her third goal of the season on the first power-play goal of the night at 7:48.  Bestland dished out her second assist on the evening and sophomore Molly Byrne tallied her first.  Four minutes later, Kelsey Welch scored her third goal of the season forcing Penn State to take a timeout.
 
The Lakers scored their second power-play goal of the period when Bram won a faceoff with 4.1 seconds left in the second.  Junior Christie Cicero took a shot and Paniccia made a save but gave up the rebound.  Bestland had an open shot and fired it into the back of the net just before the buzzer.  The Lakers led 4-0 heading into the third period, outshooting Penn State 22 to three in the middle stanza.
 
Higson lit the lamp two minutes into the third period to close the scoring.  Byrne made a centering pass to Higson who took a one timer to mark her fourth goal of the season.
 
All told Mercyhurst took a game total of 60 shots to Penn State's 10.  The Lakers were two for six on the power-play, taking 20 shots total, and killed Penn State's lone power-play opportunity.
 
Sophomore Amanda Makela started her seventh game this season in net for the Lakers and improved to 5-1-1.  Makela recorded her second straight shutout and made ten saves for Mercyhurst.  Paniccia (5-7-1) made 29 saves and allowed four goals while playing 40 minutes.  Celine Whitlinger relieved Paniccia in the last period for the Lions.  Whitlinger made 26 saves and allowed one goal.
 
Mercyhurst and Penn State meet again at center ice in the Mercyhurst Ice Center tomorrow, December 1.  Puck drop is at 2:00 p.m.  Following tomorrow's contest will be the annual Beef & The Beetles fundraiser.