ERIE, Pa.- The #9/9 Mercyhurst women's hockey team hosts Providence College to open the 2014-15 regular season this weekend. The Lakers face the Friars at 7 p.m. on Friday, October 3, and at 5 p.m. on Saturday, October 4. Both contests will be held at the Mercyhurst Ice Center.
 
 Mercyhurst defeated Pursuit of Excellence, 7-0, in an exhibition on September 27. Jenna Dingeldein posted a hat trick and Kirsten Miller put up a goal and two assists. Amanda Makela and Julia DiTondo combined to shut out Pursuit, making 16 saves in net.
 
Providence dropped an exhibition against the Montreal Stars of the CWHL last weekend. Haley Frade scored the Friars' lone goal in the match.
 
The Lakers have advanced to ten straight NCAA Tournaments, an NCAA record. They are co-favorites to win College Hockey America, according to the Preseason Coaches' Poll. Coach Michael Sisti needs 13 wins to earn 400 for his career at Mercyhurst. Emily Janiga is the team's leading returning scorer, having put up 41 points (15 goals, 26 assists) last year. Amanda Makela is back in goal after going 32-13-5 in 2013-14. She tallied a 1.88 goals against average and .921 save percentage. Molly Byrne was named the CHA's Best Defenseman last season, while Shelby Bram earned Best Defensive Forward recognition from the conference.
 
The Friars finished seventh in Hockey East last season. Frade returns after scoring 25 points (7 goals, 18 assists). Cassidy Carels is back after posting a team-high 14 goals in 2013-14, picking up Hockey East All-Rookie Team honors.
 
Mercyhurst leads the all-time series, 12-4. Last season, the teams split a pair of meetings at Providence. On October 12, the Lakers won, 5-0, scoring four times in the second period to pull away. Makela recorded 31 saves in goal.