Kassidy Lawrence stopped a new career-best, making 36 saves, as the No. 10 St. Lawrence University women's hockey team was edged by Mercyhurst 1-0 on Friday evening in Erie, Pa.

Mercyhurst was first to light the lamp, as Julia Perjus made it 1-0 Lakers after a crazy scramble in front of Kassidy Lawrence. Off the face off, the Lakers first shot was stopped by Lawrence, but the rebound was sent to point and a lofted shot fell over the shoulder of the Saints' netminder.

After the first 20 minutes of play, Mercyhurst led 15-3 in shots on goal.

Lawrence opened the second frame with four straight stops to keep the Lakers at bay.

The Saints nearly found the equalizer, as Abby Hehl sprinted down the left side with a breakaway with just over four minutes to play in the second. Lawrence followed Hehl's shot with two stops to keep it 1-0. Brooke Mulvihill got the last shot off for the Saints but was stopped by the glove of Laker's goaltender Magdalena Luggin.

At the end of two, the Lakers held onto their one goal lead and led 26-13 in shots on goal.

Mercyhurst applied the pressure to open the third, and Lawrence continued to hold them off, making her 30th save with over 15 minutes remaining.

St. Lawrence applied heavy pressure in the third, with a wraparound chance from Kennedy Wilson and shots from the slot by Lilien Benakova and Ella Nancarrow, but those, among others were stopped by Luggin.

With 1:45 to play, the Saints pulled Lawrence for the extra attacker, but Luggin and the defense stopped and blocked the final shots from the Saints.

"Another great game from Kass as she kept us in it until we were able to get some consistency in our shifts," said head coach Chris Wells. "I am looking forward to watching the team grow each weekend. The areas we are looking to improve on are areas that naturally improve as we play more games and get to know each other better."

Mercyhurst finished with a 37-25 advantage in shots on goal.

Neither team was able to capitalize on the power play, as both went 0-for-1 in game one.

St. Lawrence fell to 0-3-0 on the season, while Mercyhurst improved to 3-2-0, while Luggin made 25 saves for the shutout.

"We had some great chances to tie it," Wells added. "It was unfortunate one didn't go in. We will be back tomorrow to give it another go."
 
The Saints and the Lakers will meet for game two of the weekend series, at 1 p.m. tomorrow afternoon.