COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – USCHO and USA Hockey both released their women's hockey polls this week, with Mercyhurst coming in at 15th in the nation.
 
No. 15 Mercyhurst (3-3-0, 0-0-0 AHA) was featured in the USCHO poll for the second consecutive week. They received 24 points in last week's poll and 29 votes this week. Last week, the Lakers received 21 votes for the USA Hockey poll which narrowly missed out on making the top 15. The Lakers were picked 15th in latest USA Hockey poll for the first time this season. 

Mercyhurst started the season against No. 5/6 Minnesota Duluth. They fell 4-3 in overtime in game one and lost 5-3 in game two. Their second series was at New Hampshire. Here, they won 3-2 in game one and 4-0 in game two for their first series sweep and shutout of the season. The Lakers then returned home to host No. 10 St. Lawrence, which resulted in a series split. In game one, Julia Perjus netted the lone goal as they blanked the Saints 1-0. 

Magdalena Luggin has started and played five of the six games this season. Luggin began the campaign with a career-high 47 saves in game one against No. 5/6 Minnesota Duluth. She also recorded 25 saves and a shutout against No. 10 St. Lawrence, earning AHA Goaltender of the Week. Her 152 saves this season currently put her at fifth in the nation among all netminders. 

Senior caption Makayla Javier has made an instant impact on the Laker's season thus far, especially against New Hampshire. Javier scored the game-winning goal in game one and recorded a career-high three assists in game two. She was named AHA Defenseman of the Week at the end of September for her contributions. Javier is ranked second in the nation for blocked shots with 20. 

The Lakers next challenge features a top-15 matchup at No. 6 Penn State as they open AHA play.