Erie, Pa. – The Mercyhurst Lakers Women's Ice Hockey team continues Atlantic Hockey America (AHA) action this weekend as they host the Syracuse Orange for a two-game series at the Mercyhurst Ice Center.  After clinching the two seed in the AHA Tournament, the Lakers will look to conclude the regular season on a high note, before heading into the bye. 

History 

Mercyhurst holds a 44-13-4 advantage in the all-time series against Syracuse.  The Lakers are currently on a ten-game winning streak over Syracuse and hold a 19-5-3 record all-time at home in the series history.  Earlier this season, Mercyhurst swept Syracuse on the road, picking up 2-1 and 4-2 victories in January. 

Laker Outlook 

Mercyhurst (17-13-2, 12-5-1 AHA) enters the weekend coming off a split series against No. 8 Penn State, highlighted by a thrilling 3-2 comeback victory in the second game. The Lakers continue to boast one of the top defensive units in the conference, allowing just 1.9 goals per game, while averaging 2.8 goals per contest. 

Vanessa Upson leads the Lakers in scoring with 33 points (12G, 21A), while Julia Schalin (12G, 15A) and Sofia Nuutinen (11G, 13A) provide key offensive support. Jorden Mattison and Magdalena Luggin have been a solid tandem in net, with both posting save percentages over .930 this season. 

Special teams have been a strength for Mercyhurst, with the power play converting at 19.4%, while the penalty kill has been effective at 83.3%. 

Scouting Syracuse 

Syracuse (12-20-0, 10-8-0 AHA) comes into the series after sweeping Robert Morris, winning 4-1 and 5-1. The Orange have had an up-and-down season but have picked up momentum in the latter half of conference play. 

Offensively, Bryn Saarela leads the team with 15 goals and 12 assists for 27 points, while Jackson Kinsler (8G, 13A) and Tatum White (6G, 11A) add scoring depth. Defensively, Allie Kelley has been the backbone in net, recording a .927 save percentage while facing one of the highest shot volumes in the CHA. 

Syracuse averages 2.2 goals per game while allowing 2.6 goals per contest, and their power play sits at 20.6%, slightly above Mercyhurst's. 

Keys to the Game 

• Goaltending Battle – Mercyhurst's Mattison and Luggin will look to outduel Kelley, who has kept Syracuse competitive in many games. 

• Capitalizing on Special Teams – With both teams featuring strong power plays, staying disciplined and converting on opportunities will be crucial. 

• Offensive Depth – Mercyhurst will look to spread out its scoring against a Syracuse defense that has been inconsistent this season. 

Next Up 

Following the series against Syracuse, Mercyhurst will be on a bye as they await their opponent in the AHA Tournament Semifinals.