Erie, PA—The Mercyhurst Women's Hockey team will travel to Syracuse for a two-game series with the Orange. Both teams were set to play on January 29^th and 30^th, however due to CHA COVID-19 protocols the series was postponed, and make-up dates have not been announced.

Laker Overview

Mercyhurst is coming off a 4-2 win over the Robert Morris Colonials. The Lakers were able to win their first game since January 7^th when they defeated the RIT Tigers 4-0 in Rochester. Mercyhurst was able to jump out to a quick lead just 3:41 into the game. Senior Megan Korzack was able to find the loose puck and bang it in for her fourth goal of the year, which ties her for the team lead.

The Colonials would score twice before the period ended, however with just 27 seconds remaining in the opening frame freshman Grace Nelles was able to net her first collegiate goals as she took a wicked wrister that beat the Robert Morris goalie.

Mercyhurst goalie Ena Nystrøm was perfect after the first period, Nystrøm was able to stop 27 of 29 Robert Morris shots while earning her first collegiate win after playing her rookie season at RPI.

The Lakers were able to receive goals from Summer-Rae Dobson who scored her first goal of the season when she shot a laser past the Colonial goalkeeper. Liliane Perreault netted her third goal of the season as she was able to find the loose puck and jam it in for the game-winning goal.

Mercyhurst was able to get back into the win column after falling to Penn State the weekend prior to the game with Robert Morris. Prior to the game the Lakers found themselves in a place in which they weren't in, they had a record of 3-4-1, the last time the Lakers had a record of 3-4-1 to open a season was 2018. After the slow start in 2018, the Lakers won 3 of next four games and finished the season with a conference record of 12-6-2.

Leading the way this season on the offensive side has been freshman Sara Boucher and Korzack both of which have four goals and three assists on the season. Captain Alexa Vasko isn't far behind, she has tallied three goals and three assists for the Lakers, while also blocking shots and winning 61.8% of her faceoffs.

The Lakers have been dominate on the defensive side, they are currently allowing just 1.78 goals per game which is ranks them third in the conference. The defense core has also blocked a total of 69 shots on the season while also contributing 10 points from the backend. Rachel Marmen and K.K. Theissen both have four points on the season while Marmen has the lone goal from a defenseman this season.

While Jenna Silvonen played most of the games to start the season, Nystrøm has now played in three straight games. Silvonen has played in six games posting a 1.83 goals against average and a .924 save percentage while having a 3-2-1 record. Nystrøm has appeared in four games having a 1-2-0 record while owning a 1.65 goals against average and a .944 save percentage.

Scouting Syracuse

The Orange have only played three games since the calendar switched to 2021. Syracuse last played on February 3^rd when they were able to shutout the RIT Tigers by a score of 3-0.

Syracuse has been lead by Abby Moloughney who has been able to put up four goals and five assists during her junior season. Right behind Moloughney has been Victoria Klimek who has been able to tally five goals and three assists as a senior.

In net for the Orange has been senior Allison Small, she had played every minute for the Orange while posting a 3-6-1 record and owning a 2.08 goals against average and a .937 save percentage.

Battle on Special Teams

While the Lakers have been almost perfect on the penalty kill this season killing 90.3 percent of opponents powerplays. The Orange have been just as good killing 94.6 percent of powerplays which ranks them second in the country while the Lakers sit at ninth. Syracuse is also second in the country in powerplay, scoring six times on 27 attempts, Mercyhurst has only scored three times on 37 attempts.

Up Next

The Lakers will take on the Robert Morris Colonials for the fourth and final time on February 9^th and then will host the Lindenwood Lions on the 18^th, 19, and 21^st.

Syracuse will head to Lindenwood to play on February 12^th, 13^th and 14^th.