DETROIT - In its first College Hockey America game of the 2009-10 season, the Wayne State University women's hockey team (3-4-2, 0-1-0 CHA) lost to top-ranked Mercyhurst College (8-1-0, 1-0-0), 3-1, on Skate for the Cure Night at the City Sports Center.

Sophomore defenseman Jill Szandzik (Warren, Mich./Little Caesars) scored her third career goal in the final two minutes of the game to spoil the shutout bid for Hillary Pattenden, who finished with 12 saves.

Pattenden's counterpart, senior Lindsey Park (Thornhill, Ont./Toronto Jr. Aeros), made a season-high 33 saves including 13 in each of the first two periods.

For the Lakers, who have won seven straight over the Warriors, Jesse Scanzano and Vicki Bendus had a goal and an assist each.

At 9:30 of the opening period, a power-play goal by Scanzano, with assists from Cassea Schols and Bendus, gave Mercyhurst a 1-0 lead.

Just over three minutes later, as Ashley Cockell's shot caromed off the post, Bailey Bram collected the rebound and scored her ninth goal of the season, which would prove to be the game-winner at 12:55.

It remained a 2-0 game for nearly 37 minutes, including a scoreless second period, before an odd-man rush by Bendus and Scanzano produced the Lakers' third goal, as Bendus notched her seventh of the year at 9:43 of the third.

Szandzik's goal at 18:21, a wrist shot from between the faceoff circles, came off assists by Gina Buquet (Lafayette, La./Ohio Flames) and Adrianna Pfeffer (Farmington Hills, Mich./Belle Tire).

Mercyhurst dominated in shots on goal, 36-13, but was just 1-for-5 on the power play.  Wayne State was 0-for-7 with a skater advantage.

The Warriors and Lakers will meet again Saturday at 2:00 p.m.  WSU is sponsoring a canned food drive, offering free admission to fans who bring in a non-perishable food item to donate.

NOTES
Buquet has a point in four of the last five games … Szandzik moved into sole possession of 10th place all-time at WSU in career points by a defenseman (20) … Wayne State is 3-6-1 in conference openers.