The Mercyhurst University Women's Ice Hockey team was back in action against No. 10 Cornell University on Friday evening. The game was the first time that the two teams have played one another since their 2020 NCAA Tournament Quarterfinal match got canceled due to the covid-19 pandemic.
Grace Nelles scored the first goal of the contest to put the Lakers up early 1-0 over the Big Red. Nelles was in the right place at the right time as she tapped in a puck that rebounded off a shot from Chantal Ste-Croix, the goal gave Nelles her second goal of her sophomore campaign. Ena Nystrom started in net for Mercyhurst, she made 15 saves in the first period however, the Big Red were able to put one past her with four minutes remaining in the period to tie the game at 1-1. Claudia Yu scored for Cornell, it was her first career collegiate goal.
As the second period started, the defense ramped up. Both teams had power play opportunities however no one was able to find the back of the net. The Mercyhurst penalty-kill stopped the Big Red once on the power play, Cornell stopped three Laker power plays in the period. Mercyhurst's best opportunity came when Vanessa Upson fired a wide open wrister that fifth year senior Lindsey Browning saved for Cornell. Ena Nystrom added an additional six saves in the period.
Mercyhurst took back the lead from the 10th ranked team in the country when Liliane Perreault fired in a puck that rebounded off a Kristy Pidgeon shot. This gave the Lakers a 2-1 advantage. Cornell stuck back as their leading returning scorer from the 2019-20 season, Gillis Frechette, scored on a wraparound shot 9:52 into the final frame.
Moments later,
Sara Boucher fired in a wrister that beat Browning, top shelf to give the Lakers the lead right back 3-2. This was the third goal of the year for the Lakers top goal scorer from a season ago. Nysrom made a nice save on the penalty kill with 6:03 remaining to preserve Mercyhurst's one-goal lead. Her and the Laker penalty kill unit were able to hold the Big Red off two more times in the third and the Lakers earned the 3-2 victory.
Coach Sisti had this to say after the win, " We played a solid game today and had everyone competing with confidence throughout the game. We have had some great games over the years with Cornell and this was another high tempo game from both teams. Our power play was getting good looks all game and was able to give us an important goal in the third. We did a lot little things well today that help us win. I was proud if our effort."
Nystrom ended the game with 31 saves, one more than her previous season high. She moves to 4-1 in games that she has started in net this season.
Jordan Mortlock and Boucher led the Lakers in blocks with four each. Freshman defenseman
Sydney Pedersen added an assist on Boucher's game-winner.
The Lakers will get back together with the Big Red tomorrow to finish the two-game series, game time is set for 3:00 p.m.
Hear more from Coach Sisti below.
