December 15, 2011

Pattenden Breaks NCAA Career Wins Record On Wednesday Night

By David Leisering • Mercyhurst Director of Athletic Communications • Wednesday, December 14, 2011

ERIE, Pa. - Senior goaltender Hillary Pattenden became the all-time winningest goaltender in NCAA Division I history on Wednesday night as the Mercyhurst women's hockey team blanked Lindenwood University 9-0 at the Mercyhurst Ice Center. It was the 92nd career win for Pattenden, who surpassed former Wisconsin goaltender and current U.S. Olympian Jessie Vetter (2005-2009) for most career victories.

Mercyhurst improved to 13-4-0 overall with the victory, while the Lady Lions of Lindenwood dropped to 1-17-0 overall in their first season of NCAA competition.

The Lakers scored in each of the three periods, scoring three times in the first, two more in the second, and four in the third. Senior forward Bailey Bram scored two goals and added four assists for a six-point effort on the night. It was her third six-point game of the season, and her second against Lindenwood. She scored a career-high seven points against the Lady Lions back on October 29.

Mercyhurst got off to a bit of a sluggish start on Wednesday, but finally cracked the scoreboard at the 13:53 mark of the opening period on a power play goal from senior Kelley Steadman. Steadman, who collected her 100th career point against Boston College last weekend, scored the first of three power play goals on the night for the Lakers. Bram and freshman Molly Byrne had the assists on Steadman's 15th goal of the year.

Then, again with the Lakers on the power play, sophomore Christine Bestland lit the lamp for her 14th goal of the season at the 16:49 mark. Bram and Steadman had the assists. Finally, with time winding down in the opening period, and with the Lakers on the power play for the third time, Bram cashed in her 19th goal of the season on a slapshot from the right wing circle at 19:32. Byrne and senior Jess Jones had the helpers.

Mercyhurst held a 25-3 shot advantage in the first period.

Junior Lauren Jones would make it 4-0 at the 10:59 mark of the second period, redirecting a shot from senior Pamela Zgoda for her seventh goal of the year. Bram had the other helper on the goal. Then, Bram scored her second of the night, and 20th of the season at 18:41, to make it 5-0. Bestland and senior Jill Szandzik assisted. The Lakers again held a major advantage in shots, 22-4.

Mercyhurst would tack on four more goals in the third period, getting three from some relatively different faces. Freshman Vaila Higson scored her second goal of the season at the 3:38 mark, giving the Lakers a six-goal cushion. Jess Jones and Bestland had the assists. Then, just as Lindenwood's Kendra Ganchar stepped out of the penalty box,Lauren Jones redirected another shot for her second goal of the night, and eighth of the season, at the 11-minute mark. Higson took the initial shot and Bram had the other helper.

Freshman Kristine Grenier then tallied her second goal of the season at the 14:53 mark, with fellow freshmen Byrne and Caroline Luczak picking up the assists. Then, junior Stephanie DeSutter, playing in her 85th career game, scored her second career goal, and first of the season, at the 17:52 mark with Grenier and Shelby Bram adding the assists.

The Lakers held a 19-3 shot advantage in the third period, and a 66-10 advantage for the contest.

But, the story of the night was Pattenden. Coming off a career-high 48 saves against fourth-ranked Boston College on Saturday in a Mercyhurst 3-2 overtime victory, Pattenden wasn't tested as much on Wednesday, but did have to make a stop on Lindenwood's Alyssa West on a breakaway late in the second period. It was Pattenden's fifth shutout of the season, and the 17th of her career.

Mercyhurst now owns the NCAA's all-time leading scorer and the NCAA's all-time winningest goaltender. Two-time Olympic gold medalist, Meghan Agosta, finished her playing career at Mercyhurst last March with 303 career points, becoming the only player in NCAA Division I history to surpass 300 career points. And now, Pattenden tops the list on the career victories chart with half a season still to be played.

The Lakers went 3-for-5 on the power play and, once again, have taken over the top spot in power play percentage in the country. Coming into Wednesday, the Lakers trailed only Cornell in power play percentage. But Mercyhurst leapfrogged Cornell and now has converted 27-of-79 this season - a 34.2% clip. Lindenwood was 0-for-4 with the skater advantage. Mercyhurst has now killed off 20 straight opponent power play chances.

Mercyhurst and Lindenwood will conclude the two-game set on Thursday night at 7:00 p.m. at the Ice Center. After the game, fans can have a chance to "Skate With The Lakers," an opportunity to interact on the ice with their favorite Mercyhurst players. It will mark the final regular season game of the 2011 portion of the schedule.

Video:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_3zwEYQXrA&feature=player_embedded