SYRACUSE, N.Y. – The Mercyhurst women's hockey team opened up their 2022 CHA Postseason Tournament by defeating the No. 2 seeded Penn State Nittany Lions on Friday afternoon by a 4-2 margin of victory.

The Lakers struck first, seven minutes and 27 seconds into the second period when junior defenseman Jordan Mortlock redirected a pass from Vanessa Upson off the blade of her skate and into the back of the net. The score would be the lone tally from either team in the period as the Lakers took the 1-0 lead into the first intermission break.

Penn State responded in the second period scoring two goals in the first five minutes of the period to take a 2-1 lead. Amy Dobson secured the Nittany Lions first goal of the contest and Olivia Wallin tacked on the second at the 4:12 mark. It seemed as though Penn State would carry their lead with them into the second period intermission, however Mercyhurst's Mary Kromer had other plans as the sophomore took a pass on the break from Kristy Pidgeon and fired in her first career collegiate goal. The goal came with just 40 seconds remaining in the second and would tie the game at 2-2 entering the final period.

In the third period it was all Mercyhurst as the Lakers took back the lead on the second goal of the contest for Mortlock who had a shot from the blueline redirect off a Penn State player and go into the back of the net. Sara Boucher tacked on an insurance goal halfway through the period to put Mercyhurst up two goals, this goal concluded scoring for the contest.

Ena Nystrøm started in goal for the Lakers, the junior from Stavanger, Norway put on a goalkeeping clinic by saving 43 of the 45 Syracuse shots she faced. 

Along with their goal scorers, the Lakers got additional points via assists from Vanessa Upson(2), K.K. Thiessen, Kristy Pidgeon, and Sydney Pedersen.

The Lakers will return to the Tennity Ice Pavilion tomorrow at 2:00 p.m. for the CHA Championship game against the No. 1 seeded Syracuse Orange.