MILLERSVILLE, Pa. - Kate Strickland scored three goals, and third-ranked Millersville improved to 9-0 at home with a 6-0 win over Mercyhurst Friday.
Enduring unseasonably warm weather, Millersville still managed to score six goals for the seventh time this season and also posted its sixth shutout. Strickland's hat trick was her second of the season and boosted her goal total to 10.
The Marauders improved to 11-2 overall and 4-2 in PSAC play.
HOW IT HAPPENED
• Strickland accounted for each of Millersville's first three goals. The first of which came 4:53 into the first quarter off an assist from
Sol Ortiz-Kreiner. It was somewhat of a slow start for the Marauders, however, and they did not convert again until Strickland redirected a rising shot from
Ashlynn Lennon nine minutes into the second quarter.
• Millersville's 2-0 lead remained until Strickland scored unassisted 7:21 into the third quarter. Just over one minute later, Lennon picked up her second assist when
Hannah Brown finished her pass.
Kristin Strijdom scored off an assist from
Bri Harsh late in the third quarter, and in the opening minutes of the fourth, Harsh scored her team-leading 11th goal of the year on an assist from
Taylor Geisel.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
• Millersville peppered Mercyhurst with 37 shots, forcing the keeper to make 21 saves.
Kerstin Koons turned away the lone shot Mercyhurst put on goal. Millersville also held a 24-4 edge in penalty corners.
• Strickland led the Marauders with six shots, putting all six on goal. Strijdom and
Keaghan Keracher recorded four shots apiece.
REACTION FROM COACH SHELLY BEHRENS
• On adjustments made for five second-half goals: "We moved some people around to see some things that we wanted to see personnel-wise. We played some kids in different spots to keep building it out. We kept things simple. Again, early we were trying to win the game rather than play the game. We reminded them to have some structure and stick to the game plan. The heat was unusual so both teams had to adapt. We just got more opportunistic."
• On Strickland's emergence as a goal scorer: "Maturity with her hockey IQ, it keeps getting better. the conversations they have in the film room and the meeting room together they are more engaged, seeing things and picturing things versus things happening so fast that they don't know what's going on. The work she's put in is paying off. She's got some great athleticism, and for being tall, she can find some different ways to finish."
NOTES
• Millersville has now won 17 consecutive games over Mercyhurst.
• Millersville has scored five or more goals in eight of 13 games.
UP NEXT
• Millersville is on the road Tuesday, Oct. 19 to play Bloomsburg.
