Syracuse, NY. – The Mercyhurst Lakers Women's Ice Hockey team heads back into Atlantic Hockey America (AHA) play this weekend with a two-game road series against the Syracuse Orange. The Lakers look to build on their recent success after sweeping Saint Michael's.
History
Mercyhurst holds a 42-13-4 advantage in the all-time series against Syracuse. Last season, the Lakers went 4-0 against the Orange, sweeping both series. The Lakers are currently on an eight-game winning streak over Syracuse and hold a 16-9-1 record all-time on the road in the series history. The Lakers average 3.19 goals per game against Syracuse.
Laker Outlook
Mercyhurst (9-11-1, 4-4 AHA) enters the weekend in fourth in the AHA standings. The Lakers are coming off a dominant performance against Saint Michael's, outscoring the Purple Knights 17-1 over two games. Vanessa Upson continues to lead the team in points with 19 (5 goals, 14 assists), while Thea Johansson has a team-high 8 goals. Julia Schalin continues to contribute on the offensive end as she sits tied for second on the team in points with 15.
Defensively, Jorden Mattison has been stellar in net, boasting a 1.74 goals-against average and a .929 save percentage across 13 starts. The Lakers' power play has been a strength, converting 22.4% of opportunities, ranking second in the AHA.
A Look at Syracuse
Syracuse (7-14-0, 5-3 AHA) sits second in the AHA standings. The Orange are led by Bryn Saarela, who has 19 points (11 goals, 8 assists) on the season. Jackson Kinsler and Tatum White have also been key contributors, combining for 24 points.
Goaltender Allie Kelley has carried a heavy workload, starting all 20 games and posting a .923 save percentage. Syracuse's penalty kill has been effective, stopping opponents 78.9% of the time.
What to Watch For
Next Up
Following the series against Syracuse, Mercyhurst will return home for a conference series against Lindenwood.
