(DOBBS FERRY, N.Y.) – Lake Erie is still looking for its first win after it fell to No. 9 Mercy by a count of 17-8 in the Empire State this afternoon. The Storm (0-4) held an early one-goal lead after one quarter of action, but the nationally ranked Mavericks (3-1) answered with a seven-goal second period and remained in front the rest of the way.

The scoring went back-and-forth during that first 15 minutes as Kyle Barna (R-Sr., Medina, N.Y. / Pfeiffer) led off the game with a goal on the assist from Tommy Bischel (Jr., Westerville, Ohio / Westerville North) just 2:32 into the contest. After Mercy scored the next pair, Matthew Cromie (Sr., Oakville, Ont. / Newbury) equalized with three minutes left in the frame. Bischel added his second just over a minute later on a man-up opportunity with Neil Gardner (R-So., Boston, N.Y. / Bishop Timon) providing helpers on both late scores.

Cromie later assisted Brendan Luthart (So., Medina, N.Y. / St. Bonaventure) with Lake Erie's lone score in the second for a 4-3 advantage, but Mercy finished the period on a 6-0 run and a 9-4 halftime lead.

The aforementioned rally extended to 8-0 before the Storm attack picked up once again and surged for four out of the next five goals to cut the deficit back down to five as the fourth quarter started, but the Mavericks flipped the tables once again and closed the game on a 5-0 run.

Lake Erie's attack was balanced once again as Cromie led the way with four points evenly split between goals and assists. Gardner also finished with four points on a goal and three helpers, while Barne tallied three on two goals and an assist.

On the opposite end, Mercy's Dominic Scorcia had a game worthy of national attention as he scored nine goals and five assists.

Johnny Wilson III (R-So., Chagrin Falls, Ohio / Chagrin Falls) took the loss, but made 16 saves in the effort on 48 shots faced. Jordan Hendrycks (Sr., Ottawa, Ont. / A.Y. Jackson) caused three turnovers in a defensive effort, while Tyler Manning provided nine ground balls and two caused Maverick miscues.

Another trip to New York is on slate for this week as the Storm head to Buffalo to take on Le Moyne. Faceoff with the Dolphins is set for 4 p.m.