WATERTOWN, Mass. – Freshman Matt Riggleman (Milford, Mich./Sioux Falls) scored his first career goal, but the Bentley hockey team fell to visiting Mercyhurst 2-1 on Friday night at the JAR in Atlantic Hockey action.

Riggleman opened the scoring at the 12:57 mark of the 1^st period, but the Lakers scored the final two goals of the game, and hung on late to win it 2-1. The go-ahead goal came from defenseman Philippe Drouin on the power play at 5:44 of the 3^rd period.

Riggleman's goal came shortly after matching penalties expired, and with the puck in Bentley's offensive zone. After a shot on net by center Ryan McMurphy (Broken Arrow, Okla./Tri-City), Riggleman deposited the puck into the back of the net, to beat Mercyhurst goalie Brandon Wildung to the far post.

Mercyhurst scored the tying goal in the 2^nd period from senior Kyle Dutra at 13:47 of the 2^nd period, which was the only goal of the period.

The Lakers then went ahead in the 3^rd period on the power play, just five seconds after an interference call on Bentley. Mercyhurst won the ensuing face-off in its offensive zone, and the puck was played back to Drouin, whose shot from the top of the face-off circle found its way in to go in front 2-1.

In an effort to find the tying goal, Bentley pulled goalie Jayson Argue (Swan River, Manitoba/Nanaimo) with 1:18 remaining. With 46 seconds left, Mercyhurst was called for cross checking to give the Falcons a 6-on-4 advantage, but they could not convert and Mercyhurst held on for the win.

Bentley finished the night with a 38-31 edge in shots. Argue stopped 29 shots, while Wildung made 37 saves to earn the win.

Bentley will look to get a split of the series tomorrow night in game two, at 7:05 pm from the JAR.