Erie, PA --- The Mercyhurst University Women's Ice Hockey team will be back on the ice this week as they travel to Union College in Schenectady, New York for a two-game series against the Dutchmen.

Laker Overview

The Lakers are coming off a weekend of games that featured high scoring and good all-around defense. On Friday, the team defeated Franklin Pierce by a score of 9-1. Vanessa Upson led the charge for Mercyhurst in that one, the freshman forward had a game high five points (3g,2a) to lead the Lakers past Franklin Pierce. The nine goals scored is a season high for Mercyhurst, the last time a Laker team was able to put up that many on the scoreboard was back in 2019.

In the second game of the series, defense was key. Kristy Pidgeon scored late in the first period for the Lakers and that would be all they needed as Jenna Silvonen blocked everything the Ravens put her way to earn her second shutout of the year. For Pidgeon, it was her third goal and fourth point of the weekend.

Where They Rank

The Lakers are currently holding the top spots for most statistical categories in the CHA ranks. After last week's performance, Upson and Pidgeon are tied as the top goalscorers in the conference this year. Upson scored her fourth and fifth goals of the season in Friday's win over Franklin Pierce, Pidgeon tied Upson's five goal mark in Saturday's game. Upson sits atop the CHA points leader board with 10 (5g,5a), Pidgeon is not far behind her in second with seven points (5g,2a).

Upson and Liliane Perreault are tied for the CHA lead in assists at the moment. Both are tied with five assists each. Sara Boucher is one assist beyond them and tied for the second spot in the rankings with four helpers.

Up Front

The Forward group for Mercyhurst have produced all but one of the 24 goals that the team has scored this season. The Freshman have come in and made their presence known, Upson along with fellow freshman Marielle Parks have combined for nine goals this year. Another newcomer this season Kristy Pidgeon has made her name be heard. The transfer from Clarkson has five goals to her tally this season including the three she scored over the weekend against Franklin Pierce. Alexa Vasko and Emily Pinto are the other two Lakers to have multiple goals scored this year, both have put two pucks in net.

On the Blueline

The Laker defensive core was dominant  against Franklin Pierce as they only let up one goal to the Ravens last week. Jordan Mortlock, who was recently chosen as the CHA Defensive Player of the Week, leads the group in points with four, all coming by way of assist. Sydney Pedersen also has four assists in her freshman campaign. All in total, the Laker defenseman have accounted for 12 points and 52 blocks so far this year. 

The Last Line of Defense

All three of the goalkeepers on Mercyhurst's roster saw action this weekend. Ena Nystrom started the first game. She stopped seven shots of the eight she faced. Hanna Zukow saw her first action in net of her collegiate career. The freshman stopped three shots in 15 minutes of action during the Lakers 9-1 win.

Jenna Silvonen made the start on Saturday afternoon. Silvonen made 14 saves in the contest to earn the junior's second shutout of the season. She currently ranks 16th in the country in goals against average.

Scouting Union

The Dutchmen currently sit with a 2-3-0 record in the young season. Both of Union's wins have come against CHA member RIT. Union has lost to RPI, who the Lakers swept, and Syracuse. Union has lost 6 seniors from last year. The team canceled their 2020-21 season due to the covid-19 pandemic however in 2019-20, Union finished with a 5-24-5 record. Union does return their leading point scorer from that season in Grace Heiting. During the 2019-20 season Heiting had 14 points (6g,8a).

What's Next?

Following the two-game series with Union, the Lakers will travel to Ithaca New York to battle it out with Cornell University.