Lakers capture another CHA crown

Make it eight years and eight CHA Championships as the Mercyhurst Lakers escaped the City Sports Center in Detroit with a 3-1 win over the Syracuse Orange.

Converted Laker blueliner Ashley Cockell started the scoring at 15:44 of the first period with her 20th marker of the season.

The Lakers out shot the Orange 20-7 in the first period and 22-5 in the second period, but thanks to Orange netminder Lucy Schoedel the score remained 1-0 going into the final frame.

Swiss Olympian Stephanie Marty gave the Orange something to cheer about at 5:11 of the third, scoring her 16th goal of the season on a 5-on-3 power-play to tie the score at 1-1.

The Orange and Lakers traded power-plays from there and with just 1:21 remaining, the record setting Mercyhurst penalty killing unit increased their NCAA record by scoring their 22nd shorthanded marker of the year.

Mercyhurst took advantage of a Syracuse line change as Cassea Schols picked up a puck near center ice and quickly got it up to Cockell. Cockell went in one-on-one with Schoedel a slid the puck through the five-hole for the game winner.

Jesse Scanzano added a late empty net goal for the top-tanked Lakers (29-2-3, 14-1-1 CHA) who will now await the seedings for the NCAA Tournament that will be announced Sunday night.

Schoedel was named to the CHA All-Tournament Team and finished with a career high 48 saves.

Hillary Pattenden stopped 19 on the other end for MC.

Cockell was named Tourney MVP, joining teammates Baily Bram, Scanzano and defenseman Melissa Lacroix on the All-Tournament Team.

Syracuse forward Lisa Mullan and blueline Gabrielle Beaudry rounded out the tournament team.

In just their second season, the Orange finished with an 18-17-1 overall record, including 8-8-0 in CHA conference play.

Picture courtesy Mercyhurst Athletics.