RV/RV MERCYHURST (2-2-0, 0-0-0 AHA) vs. SYRACUSE (2-0-0, 0-0-0 AHA)
Friday, Oct. 2^nd – 6:00 PM
Saturday, Oct. 3^rd – 2:00 PM
Erie, PA – Mercyhurst Ice Center
TV: FloHockey
 
The Mercyhurst women's hockey team returns to the Mercyhurst Ice Center this weekend for their first AHA series of the season. After falling in both games during their trip to Duluth, Minnesota, the Lakers are looking to kick off their conference play in a pair of competitive matchups with the Syracuse Orange. Puck drops are set for 6 p.m. on Friday and 2 p.m. on Saturday.

In addition, this Friday's home game will be a chance for students to earn ten Anchor Points as well as free concessions voucher as long as they are sitting in the student section during intermission. Mercyhurst Student Government is also hosting a giveaway during the game, so be sure to arrive early!
 
Previous Results
The Lakers are 2-2-0 this season through their first pair of weekends, with both wins coming from their games against the Engineers of RPI over homecoming weekend. In game one, the Lakers came away with a 3-1 win and completed the season-opening sweep the following afternoon with a 3-0 win. Their following series proved to be their first big test of the season with a road matchup against No. 9/9 Minnesota Duluth. Game one ended with the Bulldogs coming out on top 2-0 on their home ice. In game two, the Lakers fell 4-0 to the Bulldogs despite strong performances throughout the roster.
 
Matchup History
The Lakers have dominated the overall series between the two programs with a record of 63-16-6. Within the first 30 matchups, the Lakers took a commanding lead of 28-0-2, with Mercyhurst owning a home record of 29-7-4 against the Orange. As it stands, the Lakers scored 295 goals against the Orange, with a goals per game average of 3.51. In their most recent matchups, the Lakers split their home series with the Orange with a game one shootout loss of 1-0 (2-2) and a game two dominating win of 7-0.
 
Lakers to Look Out For
Julia Perjus comes off a strong opening weekend performance for the Lakers where she registered four points (1G, 3A) throughout the pair of wins. In game two against RPI, Perjus led the team with a +3 rating, being present for each of the Laker goals.

Holly VanNetten was able to register three assists over the course of the opening weekend with two coming in game one and another in game two. In addition, VanNetten had a rating of +3 rating throughout the weekend.

Regina Metzler also exhibited a strong opening weekend, recording two points (1G, 1A) as well as having a +1 rating in game one and a faceoff win percentage of 57% throughout the weekend.

Mariia Polozkova and Halle Duchene round out the scorers for the Lakers, with both players netting their first career goals over the opening weekend in game two against RPI. Both Polozkova and Duchene registered +2 ratings and a goal and an assist in the Homecoming finale.

Magdalena Luggin has put in strong performances in net for the Lakers, stopping 97 of 103 shots up until this point in the season. She has also posted a save percentage of .945 and a goals against average of 1.52.
 
Syracuse Quick Hits

• The Orange finished the 2025-26 season at 15-18-4 and an AHA record of 10-11-3, with a goal differential of -37 (69 GF, 106 GA).
• The Orange opened their 2026-27 season with a pair of home wins against Stonehill, winning 3-0 in game one and 4-1 in game two.
• Ava Drabyk earned the 3-0 shutout in game one after stopping 17 shots.
• Emma Gande, Jordan Blouin, and Maryn Broderick each lead the team with three points through their first weekend of competition.
• Jessica Cheung and Jackson Kinsler lead the team in scoring, each with a pair of goals over the weekend.