The Lindenwood women's hockey team (6-21-1, 4-9-1 CHA) earned a hard-fought victory on Saturday, as the Lions took down Mercyhurst (20-11-2, 10-6-0 CHA) by a final of 4-3 inside Centene Community Ice Center in Maryland Heights, Mo.
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GAME OVERVIEW
Prior to the game, Lindenwood honored its senior class, including
Kayla Martinez who has been unable to play due a season-ending injury earlier in the year. Martinez suited up and made the start before exiting the game right after puck drop. Lindenwood started slow, but
Natalie Ferenc made all 16 stops in the opening period to keep the game at a 0-0 tie.
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Mercyhurst took a 1-0 lead at the 9:13 mark of the second period, and extended its lead to two goals just 1:14 later. Lindenwood picked up the pace and roared back in the final six minutes of the second frame. With 5:27 to play in the second period,
Jada Burke tipped a shot from Thea Jørgensen to make it a 2-1 game. Less than a minute later,
Sydney Rarick drove the puck in off a rebound to tie the game at 2-2.
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With less than two minutes to go in the second period,
Casey Adimey drove to the net and made a move to beat the goalie for the 3-2 Lindenwood lead. The Lions carried momentum into the final period, as Ferenc was solid between the pipes with 33 save through 40 minutes of play.
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Lindenwood came out hot in the third period, as the strong play paid off at the 5:47 mark. For the second time in the game, Burke tipped a shot from the point, extending the Lindenwood lead to two goals. The Lions faced a large tally of shots in the final period, as Ferenc made 23 saves in the third frame alone. Defensively, the Lions compiled 18 blocked shots in the game. In the faceoff circle, Burke won 57.1 percent, while
Chloe Corbin won 52.6 percent of her draws taken.
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GAME LEADERS
Jada Burke (2 G, 3 BLK, 16 FOW)
Teagan Heaslip (2 A, 1 BLK)
Natalie Ferenc (56 Saves)
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UP NEXT
Lindenwood will head to Syracuse, N.Y. on Thursday to take on RIT in the first round of the CHA Tournament, as puck drop is set for 3:00 p.m. CST
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