Erie, PA—After going 3-0 in their last three game the Mercyhurst Women's Hockey Team will head to Robert Morris for their final away contest of the season to take on the Colonials with the opportunity to clinch the season series.

The Season Series with Robert Morris

The Lakers and Colonials met for the first time at the Mercyhurst Ice Center on January 15^th, Mercyhurst was able to climb out from a 2-0 hole forcing the game to end in a tie, Megan Korzack and Alexa Vasko were the goal scorers while Jenna Silvonen stopped 26 of 28 shots.

The two teams then met on January 16^th in Moon Township, the Lakers were able to jump out to a 2-0 nothing with Vasko and Sara Boucher scoring the two Laker goals. Silvonen was able to stop 29 of 33 shots but was beat with just four seconds remaining in overtime as the Colonials won by a score of 3-2 in overtime.

In the third meeting of the season on February 2^nd the Lakers came into the meeting after dropping a weekend series against Penn State, Mercyhurst came out firing, the Lakers were able to defeat the Colonials by a score of 4-2. Mercyhurst received goals from Korzack, Grace Nelles, Liliane Perreault, and Summer-Rae Dobson, while Ena Nystrøm was able to pick up her first career win as she stopped 27 shots.

Laker Overview

Mercyhurst currently has a three-game winning streak for the first time this season. The Lakers were able to sweep the Syracuse Orange this past weekend as they won 5-2 on Friday and 2-1 on Saturday. Mercyhurst scored five goals in a game for the second time this season, leading the way was Emily Pinto who was able to net two for the Lakers. Grace Nelles, Chantal Ste-Croix, and Sara Boucher were also able to score for the Lakers while Nystrøm stopped 34 shots and had a shutout bid going until there was only 6:35 remaining in the third period.

The next day the game was a defensive duel, neither teams' offenses could solve each other goalies as the teams were still scoreless heading into the third period. The Orange stuck first at the 7:30 mark of the third period, however just 42 seconds later Boucher took the cross ice pass and made no mistake as she one-timed it into the back of the net to tie the game at one. The Lakers weren't done yet, with just .4 remaining on the clock Boucher was able to beat the buzzer for the game winner.

Boucher has been leading the way this season for the Lakers, she currently leads the team in goals and points with seven goals and 11 points in her freshman season. Right behind her Korzack has been as she currently sits in second in points and goals as she has four goals and nine points in her senior season in the Green and White.

While Silvonen played most of the games to start the season Nystrøm has now won three straight games while appearing in five straight games for the Lakers. Nystrøm has posted a .952 save percentage while owning a 1.60 goals against average. Silvonen currently owns a .924 save percentage and a 1.83 goals against average.

Where They Rank

Nystrøm currently sits atop the list for save percentage in the CHA while sitting in second in both goals against average and winning percentage. Nystrøm's save percentage is also 6^th in the nation while her goals against average is 10^th.  Boucher is currently in second in goals in the CHA while also owning the top spot for game winning goals in the CHA. Boucher's three game winning goals is also tied in for second in the nation.

Scouting Robert Morris

Prior to the last matchup with Mercyhurst the Colonials were on a five-game win streak, since that streak came to an end on February 2^nd, the Colonials have lost three straight games. The past weekend, Robert Morris traveled to Penn State to take on the Nittany Lions. Robert Morris lost both games to the number eight team in the country by scores of 2-1 and 4-2.

The Colonials have been lead my Lexi Templeman who currently has six goals and nine assists for Robert Morris. Right behind Templeman is Michaela Boyle who has a total of 12 points in 15 games as a junior. Anjelica Diffendal currently leads the team with seven goals while also having 10 points in her senior season. Raygan Kirk has played in 11 of the 15 games in net for the Colonials, she currently owns a .942 save percentage and a 1.81 goals against average.

Battle on Special Teams

Mercyhurst was able shut down the Syracuse powerplay who was ranked second in nation going into the weekend, the Lakers were six for six on the penalty kill. The Laker penalty kill currently sits at 92.5 percent which is second in the CHA and sixth in the country. The Robert Morris powerplay currently sits at the top of the CHA and ninth in the country as they have converted 17.9 percent of the time. Mercyhurst has scored four times on their 47 powerplay attempts including the game winning goal on Saturday. Robert Morris has killed 42 of 47 opponent powerplays.

Playoff Picture

The Lakers currently sit in third in the CHA with 13 points and a 6-4-1 record this season. Robert Morris currently sits in second in the conference with a 9-5-1 record and 19 points. Penn State leads the way with a 11-1-2 record and 24 points on the season.

Up Next

Mercyhurst will have the upcoming weekend off but will return to the Mercyhurst Ice Center to take on Lindenwood on the 18^th, 19^th, and 21^st.

Robert Morris will head to RIT to take on the Tigers on February 12^th and 13^th.