DURHAM, N.H. – The Mercyhurst women's hockey team faced off against New Hampshire for their first road series of the season. The Lakers were down 1-0 after the first period and tied the game at 2-2 in the second. In the third period.
Makayla Javier scored on the power play to give the Lakers their first win of the season.
The game commenced with Mercyhurst (1-2-0) striving to establish an early advantage. They fired multiple shots on target, but each attempt was saved. The Lakers faced an early setback when New Hampshire (0-1-0) scored at 17:37 to take the lead. Despite leading 25-13 on shots, the Lakers were behind after the first period.
The second frame began with
Regina Metzler winning the opening faceoff and recording multiple shots on goal.
Nayeon Kim almost tied the game up with a shot that hit the pipe. A few sequences later,
Payten Evans found herself alone on a breakaway and scored her first goal of the season to tie it up. New Hampshire regained the lead after several attempts on goal. The Lakers kept up their offensive dominance.
Julia Schalin positioned herself in front of the net and scored an astonishing off-balanced, backhanded goal to tie the game at two. This was Schalin's fifteenth career goal, and it was assisted by
Avery Bryk and
Regina Metzler. The second period ended 2-2.
The third stanza began with both sides searching for a go-ahead goal. The Wildcats committed a tripping penalty which gave the Laker's a chance to take the lead with their special teams. Captain Javier was at the heart of the action as she scored the game-winning goal on this power play. Schalin and
Maja Alenius were credited with the assists, and the Lakers took their first lead of the night. Following the goal, the Mercyhurst defense held firm, with Metzler and
Jessica Ciarrocchi blocking shots.
Magdalena Luggin made some crucial saves, including some on the Wildcat's six on four power play at the very end of the period. The Lakers held off New Hampshire to win game one 3-2.
Game two will take place tomorrow, Sept. 26 at 12:30 p.m. Viewers can find coverage on ESPN+.
