ERIE, Pa. --- The Minnesota State women's hockey team fell behind 2-0 after two periods and were not able to recover as they lost to No. 8/9 Merchyhurst 2-0 at Mercyhurst Ice Center Friday afternoon.

MSU drops to 0-4-1 and are 0-3-1 in WCHA action while Mercyhurst, who has yet to play a conference game, improves to 5-1-1 on the young season.

In the first period, neither team was able to light up the scoreboard as the Mavericks killed off two Laker power-plays. MSU also went 0-2 on its opportunities with the extra skater. At the first intermission the Lakers held the advantage on shots by a clip of 14-4.

The Lakers struck two times in the second period. The first coming at 6:23 and the second at the 14:48 mark after senior Shelby Moteyunas was sent to the box for interference. MSU had another chance on the power-play with 2:53 remaining in the second but were unable to capitalize as the score going into the second intermission remained 2-0.

The Mavericks broke through late in the third period with a goal by freshman Nicole Schammel, her first for the Purple and Gold, to bring the score to 4-1. Freshman Anna Keys tallied her first assist on the play while freshman Hannah Davidson marked her second assist of the season. The damage had already been done though as the Lakers scored three goals in the final period to win 5-1.

Junior goaltender Erin Krichiver made 40 saves for the Mavericks and falls to 0-2-1 on the season.

MSU went 0-3 on it power-play opportunities while MU scored three goals in seven tries with the extra skater. The Mavericks were outshot by the Lakers 45-18 and loss the face-off battle 41-28.

The Maverick will face off against the Lakers again tomorrow afternoon beginning at 1 p.m. at Mercyhurst Ice Arena.