Cianfarano’s Game-Winner Boosts No. 2/3 QU Women’s Ice Hockey Past Mercyhurst, 1-0, in OT

Saturday, October 15

Ice Center // Erie, Pa.

2:00 PM

Quinnipiac University

5-1-0

Mercyhurst

1-2-1

OT 1

Quinnipiac

Mercyhurst

Cianfarano’s Game-Winner Boosts No. 2/3 QU Women’s Ice Hockey Past Mercyhurst, 1-0, in OT

10/15/2016 5:32:00 PM | Women's Ice Hockey

Box Score

By: QU Sports Information

ERIE, PA – Taylar Cianfarano (Oswego, New York) netted the game winner with 2:09 left in overtime to lead No. 2/3 Quinnipiac women's ice hockey past Mercyhurst, 1-0, on Saturday, Oct. 15 at the Mercyhurst Ice Center. The Bobcats move to 5-1-0 (0-0-0 ECAC) with the victory, while Mercyhurst falls to 1-2-1 (0-0-0 CHA).

Sydney Rossman (Excelsior, Minnesota) made nine saves in the win, earning her fourth shutout of the 2016-17 season. Rossman now has 22 career shutouts, just four shy of the all-time program record.

Cianfarano's goal – her sixth of the season – came just over halfway through the overtime period. She skated down the right side of the ice with the puck, then fired a wrist shot into the left side of the net to give the Bobcats their fifth win of the year. Melissa Samoskevich (Sandy Hook, Connecticut) and Taryn Baumgardt (Innisfail, Alberta) were each credited with an assist on the play.

Quinnipiac and Mercyhurst played to a scoreless first period. The Bobcats held a 9-6 total shots advantage through the first 20 minutes.

Things picked up in the second period. Kenzie Lancaster (Waxhaw, North Carolina) created a great chance for the Bobcats to break the tie with 15:15 left in the second period. Lancaster collected a loose puck then started a 2-on-1 rush, dropped the puck off to Meghan Turner (Bedford New Hampshire), and Turner fired a shot toward net that was saved by Mercyhurst goaltender Jessica Convery.

The Bobcats killed off two penalties in the second period, and had two power-play chances that they couldn't capitalize on. Quinnipiac recorded 26 total shot attempts in the period, while the Lakers only had five.

Quinnipiac had a flury of chances in the third period, but couldn't find the back of the net. Rossman made a series of saves in the final two minutes of action, keeping things knotted 0-0.

Cianfarano did the rest, finishing on a chance just 2:49 into the extra stanza. She now has a team-high nine points on the season, and 15 career game-winners - which ranks second in program history. Quinnipiac avoids being beaten twice in a row – which hasn't happened in the last two years. The last time the Bobcats lost two straight games was in postseason play in March of 2015.

Quinnipiac is back in action next week, squaring off with No. 5 Boston College in a home-and-home series. The Bobcats travel to B.C. on Friday, Oct. 21, then host the Eagles on Saturday, Oct. 22 at High Point Solutions Arena in Hamden.