Erie, Pa.—The Mercyhurst Women's Hockey team is back on home ice this weekend to close out their six game homestand to open the season. The Lakers host another ECAC foe in Clarkson.
1. All-Time vs Clarkson
The Lakers and Golden Knights have not played much in the last few years. The teams last played in the 2019-20 season in which Clarkson swept the weekend series enroute to a 25-6-6 record and an NCAA appearance. The Lakers also made the NCAA Tournament that season after winning the CHA Championship. All-time the Lakers are 8-8-4 against the Golden Knights but are 0-4-1 in their last five. Clarkson hasn't made the trip to Erie since the 2012-13 season in which the two teams split the early season matchup.
2. Young Up Front
Compared to the last few seasons, Mercyhurst is a relatively young team with only four skaters to have played in 80 or more games in their collegiate careers. Captain Liliane Perreault has skated in 127 career games which is the most on the team and among CHA leaders this season. Jordan Mortlock played in her 80th career game last weekend while Aubrey Cole played in her 80th career game against Saint Anselm. The only other skater to play in 80+ games in Alexandria Weiss who played in her 90th game last weekend.
3. Experience in the Blue Paint
In net the Lakers have one of the most experienced goalie trios in the country. Combined the trio of Ena Nystrøm, Jada Brenon, and Frankie Sanchez have played in 235 games with Brenon leading the way with 99 career games. Mercyhurst has used the transfer portal well in net with Nystrøm coming to the Lakers in 2020-21 from RPI and Brenon and Sanchez this season from Holy Cross and Sacred Heart respectively. This season Nystrøm has played in three games and has a 2.01 goals against average and a .931 save percentage. Brenon has played in one game and shutout Saint Anselm by making 23 saves.
4. Spreading the Love
17 players for the Lakers have tallied points this season with four of the players getting their first career points. Sophomore Kylee Mahoney leads the team in points with four while Thea Johansson and Vanessa Upson have both scored three goals this season. Nine players have multiple points this season including six underclassmen.
5. Scouting Clarkson
The Golden Knights have jumped out to a 3-0-1 start with two wins over Sacred Heart and a win over Bemidji State. In their last game they tied Bemidji 2-2 at home. Darcie Lappan leads the Golden Knights in points as she has scored three goals and added three assists in their first four games. They have 13 players that have tallied points this season while seven players have multiple points. Anne Cherkowksi has scored three times which is tied for the team lead. Both Michelle Pasiechnyk and Julia Minotti have played two games in net and they have a combined .949 save percentage and .73 goals against average.
