Mercyhurst Lakers women's ice hockey

The Mercyhurst Lakers women's ice hockey team is the hockey team that represents the Mercyhurst College in Erie, Pennsylvania. The program started in 1999 and Michael Sisti has been the only coach in the history of the program. From 2000 to 2002, the Lakers were part of the Great Lakes Women's Hockey Association. While in the Great Lakes Women’s Hockey Association, the Lakers qualified for the GLWHA twice (in 2001, and 2002). The Lakers were regular season champions in 2000–01 and 2001–02, and won the playoff championships in 2002. Starting in the 2002–03 season, the Lakers joined the College Hockey America conference.

Arenas

 * Mercyhurst Ice Center (1999-present)

Head Coaches

 * Michael Sisti (1999-present) 498-185-58 as of end of 2019-20 season

History
On March 19, 2005, Desi Clark of Mercyhurst set an NCAA single game record with most saves in one game. Clark stopped 78 shots against the Harvard Crimson.

Following the 2005–06 season, Mercyhurst recruited the college's first Olympic gold medalist in Meghan Agosta (from Hockey Canada). In addition, the Lakers recruited Katariina Soikkanen of the Finnish National team, as well as Angelica Lorsell and Johanna Malmstrom who played for the Swedish National Team. The Lakers also had four players on the roster who played on the Canadian Under-22 Team. Mercyhurst had two CHA First Team selections in 2006–07, one second team choice, the Player and Rookie of the Year, and four members of the All-Rookie Team. In addition, Agosta would be the first ever freshman to be a top three finalist for the Patty Kazmaier Award.

Mercyhurst defeated host team Niagara 4–2 in the 2007 CHA semifinals. Afterwards, they defeated Wayne State 2–1 on overtime in the CHA championship match. Meghan Agosta was honoured as the tournament MVP and the club had three All-Tournament Team selections: senior forward Stephanie Jones, senior goaltender Laura Hosier, and junior defender Natalie Payne. Eight players (freshmen or first-year transfers are not eligible) were named to the conference All Academic Team. Senior captain Stephanie Jones was the CHA's student athlete of the year. Agosta was an AHCA First Team All-American and a three-time USCHO.com Offensive Player of the Week.

During the 2007–08 season, Meghan Agosta tied Krissy Wendell’s record for most shorthanded goals in one season with 7. By the end of the 2008–09 season, Agosta would tie Wendell’s career mark with 16 shorthanded goals.

In 2008–09, the Lakers went 16–0 in conference play last season en route to their seventh-straight CHA Title. From 2002 to 2009, the Lakers were 74–3–5 in the regular season against CHA competition and 14–0 in the postseason.

During the 2009–10 season, the Lakers started the season with a record of 19 wins, 1 loss and 3 ties (Conference Record, 6–0–1). They were the top ranked team in the USA TODAY/USA Hockey Magazine poll for 14 consecutive weeks and were the unanimous choice with all 19 first-place votes eight times. Their only loss came in an October home split with Minnesota-Duluth. On March 13, 2010, Vicki Bendus scored the 50th career goal of her career in the win over the Boston University Terriers. She was the 8th Laker to have at least 50 goals in a career.

For the first time, a Mercyhurst player won the Patty Kazmaier Award in 2010. Vicki Bendus was given the honour. It marked the fourth-straight year a Laker has been a top-three finalist. For the season, Bendus helped the Lakers to a 30–3–3 record and their second consecutive appearance at the NCAA Women’s Frozen Four. She led the NCAA with 28 goals and 37 assists for 65 points.

On September 12, 2010, Lakers assistant coach Kristen Cameron sustained a serious spinal cord injury which was given immediate medical care at Hamot Medical Center in Erie, Pennsylvania. She was hit by a car and thrown 15 m off her bicycle. During the 2010–11 Mercyhurst Lakers women's ice hockey season, the Lakers wore a patch on their jerseys with the initials K.C 10–11. As the Lakers went 6–1–0 in October 2010, freshman Christine Bestland scored four goals, including two in a 7–3 defeat of the Robert Morris Colonials. In addition, she had six assists. In her first game as a Laker, she scored a goal. She registered points in five of the seven games played and finished the month with a plus/minus rating of +13. For her efforts, she was recognized as College Hockey America’s Rookie of the Month. On February 4, 2011, Meghan Agosta became the all-time leading scorer in NCAA women's hockey history with three goals and one assist in Mercyhurst College's 6–2 win over Wayne State in Erie, Pa. Meghan Agosta was featured in Sports Illustrated's Faces in the Crowd feature in the February 21, 2011 issue (as recognition of becoming the all-time NCAA scorer).

On February 25, 2011, Agosta scored her 151st career goal to become all-time leading goal scorer in NCAA history. She accomplished this in a 6–2 victory over the Robert Morris Colonials women’s ice hockey program at the Mercyhurst Ice Center. She surpassed Harvard's Nicole Corriero, who set the record at 150 during the 2004–05 season. The goal was scored on the power play at 15:18 of the second period with the assist going to Bailey Bram. She later added her 152nd goal in the third period. In 2011, Agosta was named CHA Player of the Year as well as a First Team All-CHA selection, marking the fourth time in her career she captured both accolades. In April 2011, Kelley Steadman became the first player from Mercyhurst College to make the US Women's National ice hockey team.

In a February 18, 2012, contest versus the Robert Morris Colonials, Hillary Pattenden competed in the final regular season game of her NCAA career. Heading into the game, she had 99 career regular season victories, and was aiming to be the first NCAA women's goaltender with 100 career wins. With a 4–3 Mercyhurst lead late in the third period, Colonials skater Dayna Newsom recorded a game-tying goal, as both teams skated to a 4–4 final score.

During the 2011–12 Mercyhurst Lakers women's ice hockey season, the Lakers only carried 17 skaters, but Michael Sisti guided the club to its 12th consecutive regular season title. In addition, the squad qualified for the NCAA tournament for the eighth consecutive season, an NCAA Division I women's hockey record. The Lakers finished 22–8–3 overall, and were defeated by top-seed Wisconsin, 3–1, in the NCAA quarterfinals.

Playoffs
The Lakers have made the NCAA playoffs from 2005–2009. In 2005, Mercyhurst lost at Harvard 5–4 in a triple-overtime match. In April 2005, Michael Sisti was named Division I Women's Coach of the Year. The Lakers qualified for the second consecutive year in 2006 but suffered a 2–1 defeat to Wisconsin 2–1 in double overtime in Madison. The Lakers hosted its first-ever Division I NCAA playoff game on March 9, 2007. The Lakers lost in the Quarterfinals for the third straight year. The club lost to Minnesota Duluth 3–2 in overtime. In 2008, Mercyhurst traveled to Duluth to face the Bulldogs in the opening round and bowed 5–4. The Lakers had leads of 1–0, 2–1, and 3–2 in the third but could not hang on. UMD won the national championship a week later with a 4–0 win over Wisconsin.

The Lakers have won or tied (2007–08) eight regular season conference championships, two in the Great Lakes Women's Hockey Association (GLWHA) and the last six as a member of College Hockey America (CHA). He guided Mercyhurst to GLWHA and CHA playoff championships the last seven years and a Division I top ten ranking throughout most of the previous seven seasons.

On December 10, 2011, Hillary Pattenden made a career high 48 saves to earn the 91st victory of her NCAA career, tying former Wisconsin goaltender Jessie Vetter for the NCAA Division I record. Jill Szandzik scored at 3:01 into overtime as Mercyhurst defeated the Boston College Eagles by a 3–2 tally. Bailey Bram had three assists, including one on the game-winner to give her 40 points in 16 games. Christine Bestland also earned three points. Pattenden’s 48 saves broke her previous high of 38 (made earlier in the 2011–12 season) at Minnesota State-Mankato.

Players
CJ Ireland was one of the first players of the Lakers women’s hockey program that began in 1999. She was team captain from 1999–2003 and played in every one of the Lakers' 129 games. Her team's four-year win loss record was 86–38–5. In her senior season, the Lakers were 25–8–1. This was the Lakers' first season in College Hockey America (CHA). She scored 43 goals and set a record for most goals scored in one season by a Lakers player (since broken). At season’s end, her accomplishments were featured in Sport's Illustrated's Faces in the Crowd section (week of April 13). Ireland graduated as the career leader in goals, assists, and points. In addition,was recognized as the 2003 Mercyhurst College Female Student Athlete of the Year.

Emily Janiga and Jenna Dingeldein were selected as juniors in the first inaugural National Women's Hockey League Draft. Both players were selected by the Buffalo Beauts, Janiga 16th overall and Dingeldein 20th.

Career scoring

 * This is an incomplete list.

Notable players

 * Meghan Agosta
 * Vicki Bendus


 * Bailey Bram
 * Shelby Bram
 * Valerie Chouinard
 * Laura Mosier


 * Nicole Nelson
 * Ashley Harper
 * Hillary Pattenden
 * Jesse Scanzano
 * Kelley Steadman

Players with international experience

 * Meghan Agosta, Team Canada
 * Vicki Bendus, Team Canada, Canadian Under-22 team (2007–08)
 * Bailey Bram, Gold medal, 2012 IIHF Women's Worlds, Silver Medal, 2013 IIHF Women's Worlds
 * Stephanie Jones, Team Canada, European Air Canada Cup in (2004–2008)
 * Laura Hosier, Team Canada, Canadian Under-22 team (2007–08)
 * Jesse Scanzano, Team Canada, Canadian Under-22 team (2009)
 * Harrison Browne, Team Canada, Canadian Under-18 team (2011)
 * Jess Jones, Team Canada, Canadian Under-18 team (2007)
 * Kelley Steadman, Team USA, 2013 IIHF Women's World Championship team

Award winners

 * Meghan Agosta, 2009 Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award Top Three Finalist
 * Meghan Agosta, 2009 Frozen Four All-Tournament Team
 * Vicki Bendus, 2010 winner of the Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award
 * Bailey Bram, 2010 nominee for the Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award

CHA Awards

 * Meghan Agosta, 2009 CHA Player of the Year
 * Meghan Agosta, 2009 CHA Three Star Player of the Year
 * Meghan Agosta, 2009 All-CHA First Team
 * Meghan Agosta, 2009 CHA All-Tournament Team
 * Vicki Bendus, 2008 CHA Rookie of the Year
 * Vicki Bendus, 2008 CHA All-Rookie Team
 * Bailey Bram, 2009 CHA Rookie of the Year
 * Bailey Bram, 2009 CHA All-Rookie Team
 * Bailey Bram, CHA Player of the Month (Month of October 2011)
 * Molly Bryne: Mercyhurst, 2014-15 All-CHA First Team
 * Molly Bryne – Mercyhurst, 2014-15 CHA Best Defenseman
 * Jenna Dingeldein: Mercyhurst,2014-15 All-CHA Second Team
 * CJ Ireland, Mercyhurst Senior Athlete of the Year (female)
 * Emily Janiga: Mercyhurst, 2014-15 All-CHA First Team
 * Emily Janiga – Mercyhurst, 2014-15 CHA Player of the Year
 * Emily Janiga – Mercyhurst, 2014-15 CHA Scoring Trophy
 * Emily Janiga, Mercyhurst, CHA Player of the Month (March 2015)
 * Stephanie Jones, CHA All-Tournament Team
 * Stephanie Jones, CHA Student Athlete of the Year
 * Stephanie Jones, Bill Smith Award (an in-house honor for meritorious service on-and-off-the ice)
 * Amanda Makela – Mercyhurst, 2014-15 CHA Goaltender Trophy
 * Hillary Pattenden, 2009 All-CHA Second Team
 * Hillary Pattenden, 2009 CHA All-Rookie Team
 * Hillary Pattenden, 2009 CHA All-Tournament Team
 * Hillary Pattenden, CHA Player of the Month (Month of October 2011)
 * Ashley Pendleton: CHA Defensive Player of the Week (Week of January 27, 2004)
 * Ashley Pendleton: 2004 CHA All-Rookie Team
 * Ashley Pendleton: 2005 CHA All-Conference First Team
 * Ashley Pendleton: 2006 First Team All-CHA
 * Ashley Pendleton: 2007 First Team All-CHA
 * Sarah Robello: 2014-15 CHA All- Rookie Team
 * Jesse Scanzano, 2008 CHA All-Rookie Team
 * Jesse Scanzano, 2010 nominee for the Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award
 * Rachael Smith: 2016 Rookie of the Year, All-Rookie Team: (F)
 * Sarah McDonnell: 2016 Goaltending Trophy, All-Rookie Team
 * J'nai Mahadeo: 2016 All-CHA Second Team (D)
 * Molly Blasen: 2016 All-Rookie Team (D)
 * Jenna Dingeldein: 2016 Tournament MVP, All-Tournament Team
 * Morgan Stacey: 2015-16 co-Student-Athlete of the Year

All-Americans

 * Meghan Agosta, 2009 RBK Hockey/AHCA First Team All-American
 * Meghan Agosta, 2011 First Team All-America selection
 * Vicki Bendus, 2010 Women's RBK Hockey Division I All-America First Team
 * Jesse Scanzano, 2010 Women's RBK Hockey Division I All-America Second Team

NCAA Statistical leaders

 * Meghan Agosta, NCAA leader, 2006–07 season, Game winning goals, 11
 * Meghan Agosta, NCAA leader, 2006–07 season, Goals per game, 1.09
 * Meghan Agosta, NCAA leader, 2006–07 season, Short handed goals (tied), 6
 * Meghan Agosta, NCAA leader, 2007–08 season, Short handed goals, 7
 * Meghan Agosta, NCAA leader, 2007–08 season, Goals per game, 1.21
 * Meghan Agosta, NCAA leader, 2008–09 season, Game winning goals, 10
 * Meghan Agosta, NCAA leader, 2009–10 season, Assists per game, 1.16
 * Meghan Agosta, NCAA leader, 2008–09 season, Goals per game, 1.29
 * Vicki Bendus, NCAA leader, 2009–10 season, Short handed goals (tied), 5
 * Bailey Bram, NCAA leader, 2009–10 season, Short handed goals (tied), 5
 * Valerie Chouinard, NCAA leader, 2006–07 season, Power play goals, 17
 * Desirae Clark, NCAA leader, 2004–05 season, Goals against average, 1.25
 * Hillary Pattenden, NCAA leader, 2008–09 season, Goalie winning percentage, .889
 * Hillary Pattenden, NCAA leader, 2009–10 season, Goalie winning percentage, .871
 * Tiffany Ribble, NCAA leader, 2002–03 season, Save percentage, .932
 * Tiffany Ribble, NCAA leader, 2002–03 season, Goals Against Average, .932
 * Jesse Scanzano, NCAA leader, 2009–10 season, Shorthanded goals, 4
 * Jesse Scanzano, NCAA leader, 2009–10 season, Points per game, 1.97
 * Jesse Scanzano, NCAA leader, 2009–10 season, Assists per game, 1.36
 * Sarah McDonnell: 2015-16: Freshman GAA, 1.75
 * 2015-16: Penalty minutes (404); Penalty minutes per game, 11.5

CHA Statistical leaders

 * Emily Janiga: 2015-16: Shorthanded points, 3 (tied); Shorthanded goals, 3
 * Rachael Smith: 2015-16: Freshman scoring: 29, Freshman goals: 11, Freshman points per game: .85
 * Sarah McDonnell: 2015-16: Winning percentage, .696 (17-6-5), Wins (17)

USCHO honors

 * Laura Hosier, 2004–05 All USCHO.com Rookie Team
 * Michael Sisti, USCHO.com Coach of the Year

Lakers players in professional hockey

 * NOTE: Kylie Rossler became a football player with the Regina Rage of Lingerie Football League Canada.