Rochester, N.Y. – The Mercyhurst Lakers Women's Ice Hockey team battled to a 1-1 tie with RIT on Saturday afternoon at the Gene Polisseni Center. The Lakers rallied late in regulation before sealing the win in the shootout to extend their conference point streak. 

How It Happened: 

After two scoreless periods, RIT broke the deadlock at 11:26 of the third period when Athena Vasdani found the back of the net, assisted by Jordyn Bear and Mia Tsilemos, giving the Tigers a 1-0 lead. 

Mercyhurst responded with a crucial power-play goal at 17:33 when Thea Johansson netted the equalizer off assists from Vanessa Upson and Julia Schalin to force overtime. 

Despite multiple chances in overtime, neither team could break the tie, sending the game to a shootout. After a lengthy back-and-forth battle, Sydney Pedersen buried the decisive goal in the seventh round to give Mercyhurst the shootout victory. 

Notable Performances: 

• Thea Johansson scored the game-tying goal, her 10th of the season. 

• Vanessa Upson recorded her 19th assist of the season. 

• Jorden Mattison made 24 saves, including all seven shootout attempts, to backstop the Lakers. 

• Sydney Pedersen netted the shootout winner. 

Special Teams: 

• Mercyhurst 1-for-6 on the power play. 

• RIT 0-for-2 on the power play. 

Up Next: 

Mercyhurst (16-12-2, 11-4-1 AHA) travels to #8 Penn State next weekend for a critical Atlantic Hockey matchup as both teams continue their push toward the postseason.