Erie, Pa. - The Mercyhurst Women's Ice Hockey team is set to open CHA play this weekend as they host Robert Morris for a weekend series. Puck-drop for game one on Friday is set for 6 PM.
-
Opening CHA Play
A season ago the Lakers went 12-3-2 in the CHA including a five-game winning streak to end the regular season. This year's team and last year's team had a similar record going into CHA play. Once they started CHA play a season ago, they really took off. The Lakers will look for similar success this year.
-
History Lesson
The Lakers and the Colonials will play for the time since the 2020-21 season. They played five times during the Covid shortened season. The Colonials took the season series that year, winning three of the five matchups, with one win coming in the CHA semifinal in March of that year.
-
Flashback
This past week the Lakers went 0-1-1 against #9 Cornell. In game one, the Big Red took an early 1-0 lead, but the Lakers scored two goals in ten seconds at the end of the first period. The first goal was an unassisted goal by Sydney Pedersen. The second goal was by Sofia Nuutinen from Kylee Mahoney and Sara Boucher. The Big Red tied it early in the third period, but the Lakers took back the lead on a Sara Boucher goal from Marielle Parks and Sydney Pedersen. After the Big Red tied it at three, they were awarded a penalty shot, that Ena Nystrom saved to send the game to overtime. The game would end in a 3-3 tie. In game two, the Lakers took a 1-0 lead on a goal by Thea Johansson. Vanessa Upson and Sydney Pedersen assisted on the goal. The Big Red scored three unanswered goals including an empty net goal late in the third period. Despite the loss, Ena Nystrom had 44 saves in the game.
-
Stats Leaders
Thea Johansson and Sara Boucher are tied for the team lead in points with eight. Johansson is the leader in goals with five and also has three assists. Boucher is second on the team in assists with five and also has three goals. Sydney Pedersen leads the Lakers in assists with six and blocked shots with 25. Pedersen is also second on the team in points with seven. Ena Nystrom is 3-6-1 with a .916 save percentage, 2.80 goals allowed average, and 296 saves.
-
A Look at the Opponent
Robert Morris is currently 3-5 this season. The Colonials are 1-3 on the road so far this season. In the Colonials three wins, they outscored their opponents 15-7. They are averaging 2.6 goals per game so far this season. Morgan Giannone and Alaina Giampietro are tied for the team lead in goals with four. Giannone leads the team in assists with six and points with ten. Emma Gorski is 2-2 with a .902 save percentage and 129 saves. Maggie Hatch is 1-3 with an .897 save percentage and 122 saves.
