Erie, Pa. – The Mercyhurst Women's Ice Hockey team continues its 2024-25 campaign with a non-conference clash against the University of New Hampshire Wildcats on Tuesday and Wednesday. The two-game series will be played at the Mercyhurst Ice Center, with puck drop scheduled for Tuesday at 7 PM and Wednesday at 2 PM.
History
This series marks the fifth meeting all-time between the Lakers and the Wildcats. The all-time series is tied 2-2, with each team winning a home and road game in the series. The last time these two teams met was back in the 2007-08 season, when each team grabbed a win.
Laker Outlook
The Lakers (6-8-1, 4-2-0 AHA) enter the weekend after splitting their series against RIT. Mercyhurst earned a hard-fought 2-1 victory in the first game before falling 4-3 in the second. The Lakers are led offensively by Vanessa Upson, who has tallied 13 points on three goals and 10 assists this season. Thea Johansson leads the team in goals with six, including three game-winners, while Julia Schalin has contributed five goals and five assists. Schalin is red hot as of late, recording five goals and three assists in her last three games. Megan McKay has added production from the blueline, posting two goals and five assists for seven points. Goaltender Jorden Mattison boasts a .929 save percentage and three shutouts this season.
Special teams have been key for the Lakers, with their power play converting at 16.2% and their penalty kill operating at 74.3%. Mercyhurst will look to capitalize on scoring opportunities and tighten up defensively against a disciplined New Hampshire team.
A Look at New Hampshire
The Wildcats (9-5-1, 6-5-0 HEA) have been strong in the early part of the season, coming off a 1-0 victory over Vermont. Shea Verrier and Chavonne Truter lead the team offensively, each tallying 10 points. Brooke Hammer and Sara Boucher have added scoring depth with nine and eight points, respectively.
Defensively, Marina Alvarez has been a key contributor, leading the team in blocked shots. Goaltender Sedona Blair has been a standout, recording a .921 save percentage and four shutouts. The Wildcats' power play has been effective, converting 21.6% of opportunities, while their penalty kill has been dominant at 89.7%.
What to Watch For
Next Up
Following the series against New Hampshire, Mercyhurst will host a trio of games starting with a rematch against #2 Ohio State on Monday, and then a rematch from the CHA Championship game a year ago when they host Penn State on Friday and Saturday.
