It was an “us against the world” mentality for the Mercyhurst College women’s hockey team as they went up against the Goliaths of women’s hockey 
this season. For the first time in school history, the Lakers not only made the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Women’s Frozen Four, but they made their first National Championship game in program history.
this season. For the first time in school history, the Lakers not only made the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Women’s Frozen Four, but they made their first National Championship game in program history.This postseason run got started when the Lakers took home their seventh consecutive College Hockey America title by defeating rival Wayne State 6-1. From there the Lakers hosted an NCAA Regional game against St. Lawrence in front of a packed Mercyhurst Ice Center. Mercyhurst took down the Saints 3-1 for their first ever NCAA tournament win and their first ever bid to the NCAA Women’s Frozen Four in Boston, Mass.
The Lakers arrived in Boston as the No. 3 seed, and in their semi-final game the Lakers took on the No. 2 Minnesota Golden Gophers. The Lakers fell behind early 1-0 but were able to rally and take a 5-1 lead going into the third period. Mercyhurst held off a late rally from the Golden Gophers who managed to close the Laker’s lead to just one goal and picked up the victory 5-4. Mercyhurst advanced to the Championship game where they went up against the Wisconsin Badgers. They were unable to get anything going against Patty Kazmaier award winner and Wisconsin goaltender, Jessie Vetter, who shut the Lakers out 5-0.
Despite the loss, the Lakers had a lot to celebrate from the 2008-09 year. Mercyhurst had its first ever 30-win season in school history with a final record of 31-6. The Lakers offense was paced by junior captain, RBK Hockey/American Hockey Coaches Association First-Team All American and Patty Kazmaier Award Finalist, Meghan Agosta. Agosta finished the year with 41 goals and 37 assists while leading the Lakers deep into the postseason.
While Agosta was pacing the Laker offense, it was a freshman who remained steadfast in net. Freshman Hillary Pattenden was the backbone of the Lakers defense as she finished the season with 489 saves, an overall record of 24-3-0 and a saves percentage of .906.
The Lakers put Mercyhurst on the map in the national scene with their deep postseason run to the NCAA Women’s Frozen Four. It was a time to remember in our 2008-09 Year in Review.
