Friday, March 05, 2010

Mercyhurst-Syracuse CHA final set

by Tom Balog / Wayne State Beat Writer

After a blowout and and a squeaker, the teams are set for tomorrow's CHA championship game at the City Sports Center in Detroit.

Top-ranked Mercyhurst scored three first period goals and never looked back as they dropped Robert Morris, 7-1, in the first semifinal.

Bailey Bram led the Lakers with a pair of goals and two assists as Mercyhurst moved back into another CHA final.

Melissa Lacriox, Vicki Bendus, Kyleigh Palmer, Ashley Cockell and Jess Jones also scored for Mercyhurst.

In net, Hillary Pattenden started and stopped 12 shots for the win. She was relieved by freshman Stephaine Ciampa, who played the final 3:54 and turned away all three shots she faced.

Chelseas Walkland scored the lone goal for the Colonials, who were outshot 41-16 for the game.

Daneca Butterfield started in net for RMU, but took an early exit after giving up three goals on five shots. Kristin DiCiocco finished the final 55 minutes and stopped 32 blasts.

The late game was much closer as third seed Syracuse upended second seed Niagara, 5-3.

The Orange fought back from two one-goal deficits and took control with three straight goals in the second period.

Lisa Mullen grabbed first star honors with two goals for SU.

Swiss Olympian Stephine Marty, Janelle Malcolm and Isabel Menard also scored as the Orange won their first ever CHA Tournament contest.

Niagara opened the scoring in each period on goals by Jennifer MacLean, Mery McKinnon and Jenna Hendrikx.

Lucy Schoedel blocked 19 shots for SU for the victory, while on the other end, Jenni Bauer stopped 14.

Mercyhurst and Syracuse will meet back in Detroit on Saturday evening with a 5:00 p.m. faceoff for the title. The Lakers have won the past seven CHA championships.

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