ERIE, Pa. — Mercyhurst fell to Syracuse 3-1 on Friday. The Lakers held a 27-25 edge in shots and won 31 of 56 faceoffs, but their only goal came on one of three power-play chances.
The Lakers came through a scoreless first period behind Magdalena Luggin, who stopped all 11 Syracuse shots she faced, including a save during the penalty kill after Berlin Lolacher's roughing penalty. The Lakers answered with their own pressure after returning to even strength, getting consecutive looks from Lucy Decoteau and Abby Poitras before a later push that included attempts from Sofia Nuutinen, Avery Bryk, Kate Donegan, Holly VanNetten, Halle Duchene and Zoe Cramer. Syracuse pressed again in the closing minutes, but Luggin handled the pressure while Sofia Ljung added a blocked shot. The first period ended scoreless after offsetting penalties with 43 seconds left.
The Lakers broke through late in the second period when Poitras scored on the power play at 2:05, with Nuutinen and VanNetten assisting, to make it 2-1. Earlier, the Lakers generated early looks from VanNetten, Sonja Inkamp and Lolacher, but Syracuse scored twice to put the Lakers in a 2-0 hole. The Lakers continued to press after their first power play expired, then killed off a Syracuse advantage midway through the period to keep the margin from growing. The Lakers earned another power-play chance with 3:26 left and converted through Poitras, then reached the second intermission trailing 2-1.
The Lakers pressed throughout the third period but could not find a goal before Syracuse added an empty-net goal with 1:20 remaining to make it 3-1. Earlier, the Lakers generated looks from Mariia Polozkova, Inkamp, Alenius, Henlee Mahoney and others, while VanNetten, Ljung, Poitras and Julia Perjus blocked Syracuse attempts to help limit chances. The Lakers faced a late penalty stretch after Alenius and Perjus were sent off, with Luggin making stops and the penalty kill surviving until a Syracuse penalty ended the power play. The Lakers then went to a power play, pulled Luggin for an extra attacker and continued pushing in the final two minutes, but Syracuse held on for the 3-1 victory.
Poitras scored the Lakers' goal on the power play and added two blocked shots. VanNetten recorded an assist and put three shots on goal. Cramer won eight of 12 faceoffs. Luggin finished with 22 saves.
The Lakers return to the ice tomorrow, October 3rd for the finale of their home series with the Orange. Puck drop set for 2 PM.
