ERIE, Pa.  – The Mercyhurst women's hockey, fresh off a No. 13 ranking in the nation, hosted Syracuse for their regular season finale. The Orange took a very early lead, but the Lakers responded with two, unanswered goals. Syracuse then netted a late goal to make it 2-2 and send the two teams to overtime. Both sides hit the pipe in overtime, but neither team could score. The first five skaters missed their penalty shots and Syracuse's third shooter scored to give them the extra point. 

The first period began with Mercyhurst (20-10-3, 16-5-2 AHA) gaining control of the initial faceoff. Despite this initial momentum, Syracuse (14-15-4, 10-10-3 AHA) took the lead less than a minute into the game with an unassisted goal. Undeterred, the Lakers continued to press offensively, eventually equalizing the score as Holly VanNetten found the back of the net. This one was assisted by Sofia Nuutinen and Jade Maisonneuve at 7:25. The period closed with both teams holding firm defensively as it ended, 1-1.
 
The second frame began with the team's defense holding firm, as Magdalena Luggin made several key saves to prevent the Orange from capitalizing on early pressure. Despite being on a penalty kill after Avery Bryk's tripping infraction, the Lakers successfully neutralized the power play. Payten Evans notably blocked a shot to keep things at bay. The Lakers then generated offensive opportunities, with shots from Abby Poitras and Sophie McKinley testing Syracuse's netminder. However, neither team managed to break the deadlock in this period. The score remained unchanged, 1-1. 
 
Mercyhurst began the third period by extending its lead with an early goal from Berlin Lolacher, assisted by Maisonneuve and Maja Alenius, at 17:30. The play was beautiful, as Alenius played a perfectly weighted pass to Maisonneuve, who played it to Lolalcher for the finish. The team maintained pressure throughout the period, with Regina Metzler winning several key faceoffs and Luggin making crucial saves to keep Syracuse away. As the period progressed, the LAkers continued to create opportunities, but Syracuse managed to level the game with a goal from at 1:31 to tie the score. Despite continued efforts, including shots from McKinley and Poitras in the final minute, the Lakers were unable to reclaim the lead before the end of the period. The game ended with a 2–2 tie at the close of regulation.
 
Overtime began with Syracuse gaining initial control, winning the faceoff and generating early attempts. The Orange were unable to convert as Mercyhurst's defense, led by Luggin, held firm. The Lakers responded with a series of offensive drives, including a close attempt by Metzler and a pipe shot by Julia Perjus, but were kept off the scoreboard. The Lakers continued to press forward with Lolacher also hitting the pipe, maintaining pressure on the Syracuse defense. As the period closed, both teams exchanged missed opportunities, including a late pipe shot by the Orange. The overtime period ended scoreless and the official score was a 2-2 tie. 
 
As the contest progressed into a shootout, the Lakers faced a tense moment with several missed opportunities. Luggin stood firm in goal, denying attempts from Syracuse's first two shooters. Mercyhurst's Bryk and Perjus were unable to find the back of the net in their attempts. Mercyhurst's hopes were challenged when Emma Gnade successfully converted for Syracuse. Nuutinen's attempt to equalize was stopped by the Orange netminder, concluding the shootout, 1-0. 
 
Puck drop for game two will take place tomorrow at 1 p.m. where five skaters will be honored on Senior Day.