Erie, PA --- The Mercyhurst University Women's Ice Hockey team will be back at the Mercyhurst Ice Center this week to host the Ravens of Franklin Pierce University. The teams are slated to play two games against one another, the first on Friday at 6:05 p.m and the second on Saturday at 2:05 p.m.
Friday's contest will mark the first time these two schools have ever played one another in Women's Ice Hockey.
Laker Overview
After starting out the 2021-22 season on a three game win streak, the Lakers dropped their first two contests of the year to No. 4 Colgate last weekend.
In the first game, scoring was limited throughout the first two periods. Colgate tacked on one early, however that would be the only point on the scoreboard until the third period. In the third, both teams cashed in on scoring opportunities as they combined for six goals. Colgate scored four including an empty-netter. As for Mercyhurst, the Lakers received goals from
Vanessa Upson and
Liliane Perreault. It was Perreault's first goal of her senior campaign. For Upson, it was the fourth game in a row that she had scored in. Colgate went on to win 5-2.
In Saturday's contest, Mercyhurst scored the first goal of the game courtesy of
Jersey Phillips. For Phillips, it was her first career collegiate goal in the 17 games she has participated in. Colgate then went on to score three consecutive goals to give the Raiders a commanding 3-1 lead.
Kristy Pidgeon added a late goal for Mercyhurst to bring them within one however the Laker attack could not find any late game magic. After an empty net goal with 4 seconds left by Colgate, the Raiders took game two 4-2.
Up Front
On the offensive side of the puck for the Lakers, they have been led by a mix of young and experienced point scorers.
Vanessa Upson is currently tied for the team lead in points, the freshman from Stoney Creek, ONT. has rifled in three goals and two assists to put her point total at five in the young season. Senior
Liliane Perreault also has five points credited to her name. Perreault fired in her first goal of the season this weekend against Colgate. She has four assists to add to that lone goal. After Upson and Perreault, the Lakers have six players tied at three points. Graduate Student
Kristy Pidgeon and Freshman
Marielle Parks are the other two Mercyhurst forwards with more than one goal, both have lit the red light twice so far this season.
On The Blueline
Freshman
Sydney Pedersen leads the Lakers defense in points after five games. The Milestone, Saskatchewan native has three points on three assists in the young season.
Jordan Mortlock and
K.K. Thiessen are the only other blueliners to tally points, Mortlock has two assists and the captain Thiessen has one assist.
Alexane Rheaume is currently leading the team in blocked shots. The senior blueliner has blocked 13 shots in the five games played including 8 in the two games against Colgate.
The Last Line of Defense
Coach Sisti continues to rotate his junior goaltenders,
Jenna Silvonen and Ena Nystrom. Silvonen has made three starts in net, stopping 64 shots while posting a 9.14 save%. Nystrom has saved 46 shots on a 9.02 save% in her two starts.
Where They Rank
Upson and Perrault are currently the top point scorers in the CHA. Upson is also tied for the conference lead in goals at three.
Emily Pinto holds the top spot in the +/- category. Her +6 rating leads everyone in the College Hockey America Conference.
Scouting Franklin Pierce
Franklin Pierce comes into this contest with it being their first regular season opener. The Ravens have played two exhibition games, one of those coming against No. 2 ranked Northeastern. Franklin Pierce only played two games last season, however during the 2019-2020 season, the Ravens posted a 21-11 record ultimately falling in the NEWHA Tournament Semifinals to Saint Anselm 2-1 (5OT).
Up Next
After Franklin Pierce, the Lakers will travel to Schenectady, NY to square off with Union College. Mercyhurst will play two games against Union on October 15th and 16th.
