The Mercyhurst University Women's Ice Hockey team was victorious on Friday evening as they began their 2021-22 CHA schedule with a win over the visiting Penn State Nittany Lions by a score of 4-3.

In the first period both teams battled to a scoreless draw as it was a combination of good goaltending and defense that yielded no goals for either side in the first. Ena Nystrøm started in net for the Lakers, the reigning CHA Goalie of the Week made 15 saves in the first period to keep the Nittany Lions off the scoreboard.

The second period played almost exactly the opposite of the first as there were five goals scored by both teams combined in the period. Sara Boucher broke off the seal from the Penn State net as she put Mercyhurst up early in the second period at the 2:26 mark. 

Vanessa Upson struck next for the Lakers, she corralled the rebound off an Alexandria Weiss shot and put it through her legs and into the back of the net to put the Lakers up 2-0 eight minutes into the second period. Penn State would respond to the Upson goal as they scored one of their own three minutes later in the second to cut the Mercyhurst lead in half.

However, not even a minute later the Erie native Marielle Parks cleaned up a shot that deflected off the Penn State Goalie to earn her fifth goal of her freshman campaign, this put the Lakers up 3-1.

Penn State finished off the scoring in the second  with just under two minutes remaining in the period to cut back their deficit to 3-2.

Sydney Pedersen struck next for the Lakers with what would be the eventual game-winning goal, it was the first career collegiate goal for the freshman defenseman from Milestone, Saskatchewan.

Penn State added a late goal at the 18:11 mark in the third period to bring their deficit to only one, however Nystrøm and the Lakers defense held off the Nittany Lions in the remaining two minutes to earn the win.

Upson ended the game with three points courtesy of the two assists she had to go with her goal, Parks as well as Sara Boucher and Alexandria Weiss, Pedersen, Chantal Ste-Croix, and Liliane Perreault all added one assist each for the Lakers.

Nystrøm ended the evening with a season best 37 saves in goal, her record on the year now improves to 5-1-0.

Mercyhurst and Penn State with wrap up their two-game series tomorrow at the Mercyhurst Ice Center with puck drop scheduled for 2:08 p.m.