Erie, Pa. - After dropping game one yesterday afternoon, the Mercyhurst Women's Ice Hockey team looked to grab a series split against #13 Yale. Two goals by Vanessa Upson and 46 saves from Ena Nystrøm helped lead the Lakers to a 2-0 win over the Bulldogs.
How it Happened
After not scoring the prior night, it didn't take long for the Lakers to get on the board in today's game. The Lakers went on the power play and Vanessa Upson found the back of the net for a power play goal and her fifth goal of the season, just 2:19 seconds into the first period. At the midway point of the period, the Bulldogs went on the power play. The Laker penalty kill unit killed off the penalty and kept the Bulldogs off the board. Ena Nystrøm came to play, compiling 14 saves in the first period. The Lakers held a 1-0 lead.
Early in the second period, Sara Boucher took a pass from Megan McKay and ripped a shot that got saved, but Vanessa Upson gathered the rebound and fired it into the back of the net for her second goal of the game, giving the Lakers a 2-0 lead. The Lakers continued to apply pressure the rest of the period but settled for a 2-0 lead at the end of two. Ena Nystrøm made 10 more saves in the period to bring her total to 24 through two periods of play.
Ena Nystrøm was brilliant all game, making 22 saves in the third period. The Bulldogs were pressing the entire period, trying to get on the board and cut into the Laker lead, but Nystrøm was up for the challenge. The Laker defense was blocking shots in the period, doing everything they could to keep the shutout alive.
Highlights
Ena Nystrøm finished the game with a season high 46 saves and her fifth shutout of the season.
Vanessa Upson scored twice in the game, bringing her point total to 16.
Sara Boucher tallied two assists.
Sofia Nuutinen and Megan McKay both added assists on the two Upson goals.
Makayla Javier led the Lakers in blocks with four.
The Lakers as a team totaled 16 blocked shots.
Scoring Summary
P1 | 02:19 | PP | Vanessa Upson from Sara Boucher and Sofia Nuutinen
P2 | 04:23 | Vanessa Upson from Sara Boucher and Megan McKay
Next Up
The Lakers will continue their four-game home stand when they host CHA foe Syracuse next weekend. Puck-drop for Friday's game is set for 6:00 PM.
