Erie, Pa. - The Mercyhurst Women's Ice Hockey team hosted RIT for game one of a weekend series with a lot on the line within the CHA. After RIT tied the game early in the second period, the Lakers scored three unanswered goals in a 4-1 win.  

How it Happened 

It didn't take long for the Lakers to put shots on the net with two shots on goal going up in the first minute of the first period. At the 8:28 mark of the first period, the Lakers took a cross checking penalty that put RIT on the power play. The Lakers penalty kill unit did its job and got back to full strength. At the 12:39 mark of the period, the Lakers struck first. Sofia Nuutinen dug the puck out of the corner and found Mary Sweetapple. Sweetapple took a shot from the point and the shot was deflected into the net by Sara Boucher for the goal. After one period of play, the Lakers led 1-0. Ena Nystrøm stopped 11 shots in the period. 

The Lakers went on the power play early in the second period but couldn't extend their lead, so the score stayed 1-0. At the 4:59 mark of the second period, the Tigers tied it up at one. The Tigers had a breakaway, looking for the lead, but Ena Nystrøm made a pad save to keep it tied. After a penalty on the Tigers, the CHA's best power play had an opportunity to get another. A scramble in front of the net saw Sofia Nuutinen guide the loose puck into the back of the net. The Lakers grabbed the lead back. At the end of two periods of play, the Lakers held a 2-1 lead. 

At the 5:05 mark in the third period, Chantal Ste-Croix extended the Lakers lead to 3-1. The Tigers couldn't clear the puck and Ste-Croix grabbed the loose puck and beat the goaltender on her stick side. Late in the third period, the Lakers added one more on a goal from Thea Johansson. Johansson scored from the tightest of angles to put the Lakers up 4-1.     

Highlights 

Vanessa Upson tallied another assist, bringing her season total to 23.  

Mary Sweetapple recorded her first point since October 27th against Robert Morris. 

Sofia Nuutinen continues to play well in her first year, recording her 9th goal of the season and her 15th assist of the season. 

Sara Boucher recorded her 13th goal of the season and her team leading 18th assist of the season.   

Chantal Ste-Croix scored her fifth goal of the season and tallied her fifth assist of the season in the third period. Ste-Croix has now scored in three of her last four games and extends her point streak to four games. 

Olivia Cvar recorded assists number 10 and 11 and extended her point streak to four games.  

Thea Johansson scored her team leading 13th goal of the season. 

Ena Nystrøm stopped 21 shots while allowing only one goal.  

Four different Lakers recorded multiple points in the win. 

The Lakers outshot the Tigers 26-22.       

Scoring Summary 

P1 | 12:39 | Sara Boucher from Mary Sweetapple and Sofia Nuutinen 

P2 | 10:24 | PP | Sofia Nuutinen from Vanessa Upson and Sara Boucher 

P3 | 5:05 | Chantal Ste-Croix from Olivia Cvar 

P3 | 16:37 | Thea Johansson from Olivia Cvar and Chantal Ste-Croix 

Next Up 

The Lakers and Tigers will do battle again tomorrow afternoon in game two of this two game series. Puck drop is set for 1 PM.