The Lady Lions hockey team got off to a slow start on Thursday night, but bounced back for its best showing of the year against a nationally-ranked team. Lindenwood played even with No. 5 Mercyhurst for the final two periods in a 7-2 loss to the Lakers.

The Lakers jumped out to a big lead right away with five goals in the first 9:02 of the game. Lindenwood's defense righted the ship after the fifth goal and went over 44 minutes before allowing two more goals in the latter part of the third period.

The bright spot for Lindenwood was outplaying one of the best special teams in the country. The Lady Lions did not allow a single power-play goal against the top power-play unit in NCAA Division I. Offensively, the team scored two power-play goals in five chances. The lone goal of the second period was scored by Caitlyn Post in the 16th minute of the period. In the final minute of the game, Jordyn Constance added a man-advantage tally.

Alison Wickenheiser and Alyssa West both assisted on Post's goal, and Kendra Broad and Samantha Redick had passes to set up Constance's goal. In goal, Taylor Fairchild came off the bench and recorded 53 of 57 shots in just over 54 minutes of play.

Lindenwood goes to 1-18-0 on the season. The Lady Lions will be off until Jan. 4 when they play their third-straight game against a nationally-ranked opponent when they face North Dakota.