The Lindenwood women's hockey team captured its first CHA victory of the season on Friday afternoon at Lindenwood Ice Arena in Wentzville, Mo. The Lions defeated the Mercyhurst Lakers by a final score of 3-2.

With the game scoreless late in the first period, Lindenwood's Britannia Gillanders was whistled off of the ice for a charging penalty at the 17:14 mark, sending Mercyhurst to its first power play of the afternoon. However, just 27 seconds into the Lakers power play, Taylor Girard broke a scoreless tie netting the first shorthanded goal of her career. Cierra Pasiley tallied her third assist of the season on Girard's team-leading fourth goal of the season.

The Lions carried the one-goal lead into the first intermission. Lindenwood netminder Jolene deBruyn stopped all 13 shots directed her way to keep Mercyhurst off of the scoreboard.

Mercyhurst evened the score at 1-1 in the middle period, scoring the equalizer at the 14:28 mark of the period. The tie would not last long, as Lindenwood regained its one-goal lead just eight seconds later. Girard registered her second goal of the game, and fifth of the season to send the Lions back in front. Paisley was credited with her second assist of the game on the play.

Mercyhurst again tied the score, this time with just 16 seconds remaining in the period, sending the game into the third period even at 2-2.

With 4:30 gone by in the final period, Shannon Morris-Reade ripped a slap-shot past the Mercyhurst goaltender and into the upper-left corner of the net. Morris-Reade's third-period goal would stand up as the game-winning score, giving Lindenwood its first win of the season. Christiana von Aulock assisted on the goal, picking up her first career point.

deBruyn finished the game with 31 saves, and earned her first win of the year.

Both teams finished the game scoreless on their three respective power-play chances. Merychurst outshot Lindenwood 33-25 for the game.

"I'm happy with our performance today overall," said head coach Scott Spencer. "Our special teams came up big with a shorthanded goal, and killed off some penalties during the third period. Our compete continues to rise and I'm excited to see this team progress through the year."

With the victory, Lindenwood improves to 1-3-1 and 1-0-0 from within the CHA.

The two teams will return to Lindenwood Ice Arena tomorrow morning at 10:30 a.m. to conclude the two-game series.