DETROIT - The Wayne State University women's hockey team surrendered four third-period goals in a 5-2 loss to fourth-ranked Mercyhurst College on Saturday afternoon at the City Sports Center.

The Warriors led 1-0 at the first intermission and 2-1 after 40 minutes of play, but a flurry of offense in the third period by the Lakers voided the potential for a split series.

Pamela Zgoda's first goal of the year at 6:47 of the third period was the game-winner, as Mercyhurst claimed its 12th straight victory over Wayne State.

Veronique Laramee-Paquette (Mont-Tremblant, Que./Les Cheminots) gave WSU a 1-0 lead 9:37 into the game, scoring on a 5-on-3 power play. Cari Coen (Manhattan Beach, Calif./L.A. Selects) and Jill Szandzik (Warren, Mich./Little Caesars) cycled the puck in to Laramee-Paquette, who fired a shot from the right wing which caromed off MC goaltender Hillary Pattenden.

Shots on goal were even after 20 minutes, 7-7, but the Lakers totaled 21 shots in the second while WSU had 11.

With just under five minutes remaining in the second period, Meghan Agosta, who had two shots hit the goalposts in the period, skated into the WSU zone, wrapped around the net and sent the puck across the front of the net to Jess Jones, who scored her fourth goal of the year at 15:21.

Less than three minutes later, however, Wayne State regained its lead as Laramee-Paquette intercepted the puck at the blue line and sent it back in to Alyssa Baldin (Mississauga, Ont./Mississauga Jr. Chiefs) on the left side. Baldin's pass across the zone found the stick of Gina Buquet (Lafayette, La./Ohio Flames) for the one-timer at 18:13.

The third period was all Mercyhurst, as the visitors racked up a 17-2 advantage in shots and scored four times. Melissa Lacroix's second goal of the year at 3:45 tied it at 2-2, and Zgoda buried a rebound off a shot by Agosta for the eventual game-winner at the 6:47 mark.

Two WSU penalties moments later proved costly, as the Lakers capitalized with power-play goals by Vicki Bendus and Christie Cicero 57 seconds apart.

The final shot tally favored Mercyhurst, 45-20. Delayne Brian (Winnipeg, Man./Notre Dame Hounds) totaled 40 saves, including 20 in the second period. Pattenden finished with 18 saves.

Wayne State will host Minnesota State next weekend at the City Sports Center. The Warriors will sponsor a toy drive, offering free admission to fans who bring a new toy to donate to the DMC Children's Hospital of Michigan.

NOTES
Saturday was Wayne State's first loss when leading after two periods this season (5-1-0) … Szandzik has a point in five of the last six games … seven of Laramee-Paquette's eight points this year have come in the last five games.