The Official Thread of the Mercyhurst Lakers

[MICZamboni]

Final score MC 6-1 over Princeton. Annoucers said it was the largest crowd they had seen at a women's or men's game at the Mercyhurst Ice Center.

WOW!!!! What an atmosphere here at the rink tonight. UNBELIEVABLE!!!!! I wouldnt say it was the largest crowd but it was by far the loudest. Great support from the student body. On there feet and yelling the whole 60 minutes. Just crazy!!!!

Anyway, as for the game. Mercyhurst worked as hard as I have ever seen them work before. Even up 4-1 you would have thought they were losing by 3. Great game by Agosta and Chouinard as usual and I thought Hosier played awesome too. Agosta's two goals were things of beauty. Her slap shot from the left face off circle was incredible. I don't think the goalie saw it because I didnt either. Her breakaway was fun to watch as well. I dont think I have ever seen anyone hold on to the puck as long as she did before she got the shot off. I almost thought she was going to skate into the net but she waited until she found the opening and slipped it past the netminder.

I only hope the crowd is as big and loud tomorrow.

Great job ladies!!!

GO LAKERS!!!

[MICZamboni]

This mornings article in the Erie Times News:

Top-ranked Mercyhurst women paste Princeton

By VICTOR FERNANDES
victor.fernandes@timesnews.com

A player up, a player down - the Mercyhurst College women's hockey team has a decided advantage over their opponents in either situation.

With Meghan Agosta and Valerie Chouinard on the ice, scoring chances can arise in any way at any time. And as they showed Friday night at the Mercyhurst Ice Center, they score at will.

The talented duo accounted for four goals, two apiece short-handed and on the power play, and seven points in Mercyhurst's 6-1 win against No. 10 Princeton in front of 1,500 fans. Their teamwork on the game's opening goal ended the Lakers' slow start in the program's first game as NCAA Division I's No. 1-ranked team.

Agosta stole the puck from a defender behind Princeton's net and slid a pass in front to a streaking Chouinard. Suddenly, what was a Tigers' power play turned into Chouinard's short-handed goal with 1 minute, 50 seconds left in the first period.

"She might have (been intimidated by Agosta)," Lakers' goaltender Laura Hosier said of the Tigers' defender. "Agosta's amazing. You have to give her a lot of respect because of what she can do out there."

Until that decisive goal, the Lakers (13-1-1) were fortunate to remain in a scoreless tie. Moments earlier, the Tigers failed to score on two breakaways, including a two-on-none chance.

But all Agosta and Chouinard needed was one chance.

"It was a big goal for us," said Agosta, who finished with two goals and two assists. "When you get the opportunity to score, you want to capitalize every time."

The next time buried the Tigers (8-3-2) into a 4-1 hole with 8.6 seconds left in the second period. Chouinard's outlet pass to center ice allowed Agosta to slip past the defense for the breakaway goal. Chouinard finished with two goals and an assist.

"That's one of the exciting things about great players," Lakers coach Michael Sisti said. "You have to pay attention to them. That forces (the opposing team) to be perfect. If you're not, you pay the price."

Agosta and Chouinard also burned the Tigers on the power play in the second. Agosta's goal built the Lakers' 2-0 lead. Chouinard's power-play goal with 2:20 left in the period answered Princeton's lone score and regained the Lakers' two-goal lead. Mercyhurst added two even-strength goals from Stephanie Jones and Kristen Erickson in the third.

Senior captain Julia Colizza contributed three assists.

Hosier stopped 24-of-25 shots to record her 13th win in 14 appearances this season.

Earlier this week, the Lakers learned they earned the No. 1 ranking in the USCHO.com and USA Today/USA Hockey Division I polls for the first time.

The players savored every moment the past few days. "But when game time comes," Hosier said, "you have to get down to business."

Said Chouinard, "We have to fight because all the teams are very good."

The battle was even for most of the opening period. Sisti said Princeton played passionate hockey throughout the game. Those are the types of tests the Lakers will face as the nation's top team.

But with Agosta and Chouinard leading the Lakers' impressive transition game, Mercyhurst has the advantage in the tightest games.

"We use our speed. We have good vision on the ice," Agosta said. "We're doing very well. We have to continue to play as a team."

[Radar3535]

Will today's game be on Mercyhurst radio?

[quixote]

I had hoped it would be broadcast but I can't find it and no live stats either. MIC are you at game? checking in?

[Radar3535]

0-0 end of 1st. Princeton took alot of penalties.

[TIGER FAN]

0-0 end of 1st. Princeton took alot of penalties.
Any further score?

[Radar3535]

0-0 end of 2nd period.

[TIGER FAN]

0-0 end of 2nd period.

Wow! Who's in goal for Princeton?

[Radar3535]

The Freshmen.

[CementEd]

0-0 end of 1st. Princeton took alot of penalties.

0-0 end of 2nd period.
This is sure getting interesting.

[quixote]

I guess Agosta got revenge for being ganged up on during alot of the game-- with 37 sec left in overtime she rifled one past the goalie. MC wins 1-0.

[MICZamboni]

Yes I was at the game but honestly didn't want to leave my seat as I was afraid I would miss something. Another great hockey game. Mercyhurst dominated this whole game outshooting Princeton 47-7 during the first 60 minutes. Agosta was being held, tripped, CHECKED, the whole game but to no avail. She ripped one with :37 sec to go in overtime for the game winner. The atmosphere was once again incredible at the MIC. I think there were more there today than yesterday although I guess that would be impossible since yesterday was a "sellout". The Princeton goalie should get 1st star along with Agosta.

RMU next week!!!!

[puckster]

The Freshmen.

Nice game by the Freshman. Should get her some more time between the pipes, dont ya think?

[MICZamboni]

Here is the article in today's Erie Times News for yesterday's big win over Princeton. What a great weekend at the MIC.

Agosta's shot lifts No. 1 Mercyhurst

By Ron Leonardi
ron.leonardi@timesnews.com

Princeton's Brittany Parisi was brilliant in goal.

Mercyhurst College freshman forward Meghan Agosta was a little better on the 48th and final shot the Lakers threw at the freshman goalie.

Agosta provided the No. 1-ranked Lakers with a 1-0 victory Saturday when she beat Parisi with a tough-angle slap shot from along the left-wing boards with 37 seconds left in overtime at the Mercyhurst Ice Center.

The Lakers (14-1-1), playing before 1,223 fans, outshot Princeton 48-9 and dominated play. With their two-game weekend sweep of the No. 9 Tigers (8-4-2), Mercyhurst improved to 7-1 against Division I top-10 opponents this season.

"This is a special group that is just finding all kinds of ways to win," Mercyhurst coach Michael Sisti said.

Agosta, a Canadian Olympian, likely helped keep the Lakers atop the national rankings.

With time winding down in overtime, she carried the puck up the left side and rifled a shot top-shelf inside the far post.

"It was kind of frustrating throughout the game with the chances we had," Agosta said. "Once I crossed the blue line, I just took the shot and I was so excited. It was such a great feeling to know we stuck together as a team and I think that's going to help us a lot in the end."

"That kid (Agosta) is unbelievable, and she's probably the best out of all the returning Olympians that we've seen this season," Princeton coach Jeff Kampersal said. "She really makes it happen."

Parisi said she has not faced a shot the caliber of Agosta's this season.

"I saw that last shot all the way and I thought I was going to be able to get it with my glove next to my head," Parisi said. "Now that I think about it, I probably should have stood up on the shot. It stings, but it's a learning experience."

Mercyhurst senior forward Stefanie Bourbeau set up the winning goal by intercepting a Princeton cross-ice pass in the Mercyhurst zone and finding Agosta with a pass at the Mercyhurst blue line.

With 6 minutes left in regulation, Bourbeau suffered bruised right ribs when she collided with a goal post on a scramble at the Princeton net.

Though shaken up, Bourbeau was back on the ice for her next shift.

"She's the kind of player who, when she gets a hard hit, it makes her mad and she plays better," Sisti said. "Some kids may shy away when they get a good hit, but it works the opposite with her."

Mercyhurst finished 0-for-10 on power plays, but applied pressure and generated a wealth of scoring opportunities on nearly all of them.

Parisi weathered an 18-shot barrage in the first period and kept her team in the game as the Tigers killed five Mercyhurst power plays.

Parisi's finest save came early in the third period. With Mercyhurst pressuring on a power play, she slid across the crease and robbed Agosta of a goal on a point-blank shot from the right doorstep.

"She kept her team in the game, but sooner or later, we told ourselves the puck was going to go in," Agosta said "We're all tired, and I think we emptied the tank at the end."

After being ranked No. 1 in the USCHO.com and USA Today/USA Hockey Division I polls earlier in the week for the first time in the program's history, the Lakers didn't let the hype and attention they received all week distract them.

"We talked about just focusing on business as usual, and the team really did that," Sisti said. "The polls are great, but if we want to prove we're a great team, we have to keep winning and we have to beat great teams. When you look at our schedule, people can debate who should be No. 1, but they can't debate the quality teams we've beaten from September to now."

[MICZamboni]

Saw an unfamiliar face today by herself, with a hockey stick in her hand. She had an Alaskan accent with a splash of Dakotan in it.

[quixote]

Anyone tuned in to the game. According to FMU site it is supposed to be broadcast on Yahoo. I'm geeting an anounce that it will start shortly but it should have started nearly an hour ago.

[quixote]

The broadcast is up today. Go to RMU site and click on Yahoo sports.

[MICZamboni]

Do you have a score for us?

[MICZamboni]

OK so I just found the radio station and the Robert Morris Coach just said he think Wisconsin is more skilled and deeper than Mercyhurst basically saying Wisconsin is better. Interesting comments from the coach. Also said Robert Morris is closing the gap on Mercyhurst. Um, lets see. Mercyhurst put 60 shots on Robert Morris today and only gave up 6 shots yesterday. Very interesting. Actually, I am glad he said it. I think Mercyhurst will only get better if they feel they are being disrespected. Keep rolling Lakers!!!!

[quixote]

sorry mic. It was 5-0 today and Drennen in goal. Only about 6 shots on her. A couple early sounded like quality shots. Getting her ready to play Cornell in January.
Announcers for RM had quite a bit of "lack of info about Mercyhurst".
Questions like how did they get to be a good team, etc. And then a discussion of what "little" they knew about Fort Collins, CO (where Drennen is from).
I think the RM coach also suggested that Mercyhurst excuted as a team better (than Wisc).
But I agree, Lakers get mad and stay tough. Congratulations ladies.