Erie, Pa. - The Mercyhurst Women's Ice Hockey team welcomed the Syracuse Orange to the Mercyhurst Ice Center for the first matchup of the season between these CHA members. A goal in the first and a goal in the second were the difference for the Lakers in a 2-1 win over the Orange. The Lakers improved to 10-12-1 overall and 6-3 in the CHA.   

How it Happened 

Just 3:36 into the first period, the Lakers struck first. Vanessa Upson dumped the puck off to Sara Boucher who ripped a slap shot into the back of the net for the goal. The Lakers were out to an early 1-0 lead. Looking to even the score at one, the Orange tested Ena Nystrom, but to no avail as Nystrom stood tall in the crease. At the end of one period of play the Lakers led 1-0. Ena Nystrom stopped eight shots in the period. Kylee Mahoney was 80% from the face-off dot.  

Halfway through the second period, Ena Nystrom made a beautiful save, sliding from one side of the crease to the other to stop a Syracuse shot that would have tied the game. A few minutes later, the Lakers extended their lead to 2-0 on a goal from Thea Johansson. Johansson gathered the puck and found the tiniest of opens for a top shelf goal. In the final few seconds of the second period the Orange got on the board. At the end of two periods of play the Lakers led the Orange 2-1.  

The Orange looked to tie the game early in the third, but another beautiful save from Ena Nystrom kept the Lakers in the lead. Both sides continued to trade scoring opportunities, but neither side could get anything past the goaltenders. Late in the game the Orange pulled the goaltender to get an extra skater on the ice. The Lakers kept the puck out of the zone for most of the final minutes and kept the Orange from tying the game.        

Highlights 

Sara Boucher scored her 12th goal of the season in the first period. Boucher has now recorded a point in six of the last seven games.  

Thea Johansson scored her 9th goal of the season in the second period. This was Johansson's first goal since December 1st against Lindenwood.  

Vanessa Upson, Sofia Nuutinen, and Megan McKay all recorded assists.  

Ena Nystrom racked up 21 saves and her 10th win of the season.  

Scoring Summary 

P1 | 03:36 | Sara Boucher from Vanessa Upson and Sofia Nuutinen 

P2 | 10:13 | Thea Johansson from Megan McKay 

Next Up 

The Lakers will look for the sweep tomorrow afternoon when they do battle with Syracuse for game two. Puck-drop is set for 1 PM.