ERIE, Pa. – The Mercyhurst Women's ACHA team hosted the Panthers of Pittsburgh for their final CHE home game of the 2025 portion of the season on Friday. The Lakers were looking to finish the first half on a high note before heading into the holiday break.
 
Victoria Campana got the nod to start for the Lakers in the Friday prime time matchup.
 
In the 1^st period, the Lakers were sent to the penalty box early for a tripping call, but were able to keep the Panthers out of their net. At 1:56, Ellie Schau scored her 12^th goal of the season with assists coming from Marina Evert and Dylan Rivet, their 4^th and 2^nd assist respectively. Less than 2 minutes later, Schau found the back of the net again with assists coming from Evert and Mia Simpson, her 1^st of the year. Evert would then score on the powerplay at 7:58 for her 11^th goal of the season. Rivet would support with the assist, her 3^rd of the campaign.
 
In the 2^nd, Haylie Petyk managed to find the back of the net for her 4^th goal of the season at 7:18 with assists coming from Evert and Kylie Cushman. At 8:15, Olivia Murphy continued the Laker onslaught with her 3^rd goal of the year. Murphy was assisted by Susan Nelson, her 5^th of the season. At 11:27, Pittsburgh found their answer to the Laker offense and scored their only goal of the game. Schau would cap off the period with her 14^th goal of the season, completing her hat trick. She was assisted by Simpson and Alexa Kelley.
 
The Lakers would score again early in the period, with the goal coming from Murphy, her 2^nd of the game and 4^th on the year. Emma Davidson would manage to net her 1^st goal of the season at 15:44, with Murphy collecting her 7^th assist of the campaign. With under a minute remaining in the game, Schau would manage to find the back of the net for her 4^th goal of the game and her 15^th of the season, with Evert and Petyk assisting.
 
The Lakers would come away with a resounding 9-1 victory, placing them in 1^st place in the CHE heading into the Christmas break.
 
Campana stopped 31 of her 32 shots faced, earning her 4^th win of the season.
 
The Lakers will next host the Colonials of Robert Morris on Saturday, January 17 at the Mercyhurst Ice Center. Puck drop set for 7 PM.