ERIE, Pa. – The Mercyhurst ACHA women's team hosted the Mountaineers of West Virginia over the weekend, honoring seniors and finishing up their regular season play before the start of the postseason. The Lakers were looking to earn some vital points as they prepared to take on West Virginia.
 
In the 1^st game, goaltender Victoria Campana got the start in net for the Lakers.
 
In the 1^st period, the Mountaineers got off to an early lead at 1:32, but Marina Evert was able to answer in the dying minutes of the frame, scoring her 19^th goal of the season. She was assisted by Ellie Schau. A late West Virginia penalty at 19:27 set up the Lakers for a pivotal power play as they entered intermission.
 
In the 2^nd period, the Lakers were unable to capitalize on the power play at the beginning of the period. Both teams traded penalties during the middle of the frame, but the Mountaineers found the back of the net at 4:51, giving them a 2-1 lead. The Lakers were unable to answer in the period despite being on the power play at 11:18.
 
In the 3^rd period, the Lakers earned a 5-on-3 power play, but were unable to secure a goal during that time. At 8:26, Evert scored her 20^th goal of the season off a close rebound in front of the net. West Virginia secured their victory at 16:01, finalizing the score at 3-2. The Lakers pulled Campana at 17:10, hoping to secure a goal with the extra attacker, but were unable to do so.
 
Campana stopped 24 of 27 shots, securing her 1,000^th career save in the process. She was able to do so in 31 games, averaging around 32.25 saves per game in that time.
 
In game 2, the Lakers honored their seniors for their careers with the program. The group included Schau, Evert, Haylie Petyk, Maddie Huffer, and Ava Whitling, all of whom have contributed considerably to the team, and the Lakers would like to thank each of them for their time and dedication to the program.
 
Goaltender Katie Spindel got the start in net for the Lakers, her 6^th of the season.
 
In the 1^st period, the Mountaineers were given a slashing penalty at 10:38, opening the scoring for the Blue and Green as Evert notched her 21^st goal of the season at 11:15. She was assisted by Schau, her 7^th of the season. Despite both teams heading to the penalty box one more time during the frame, neither were able to take advantage and find the back of the net before the conclusion of the period.
 
In the 2^nd period, freshman forward Dylan Rivet scored her 1^st career ACHA goal at 7:36, assisted by Emma Davidson, her 2^nd assist of the season. Schau was able to log her 21^st goal of the season shortly after, assisted by Whitling. Both teams would spend considerable time on special teams, but neither were able to capitalize.
 
In the final period, the teams battled hard as the Lakers made sure to protect their 3-0 lead. Both teams traded penalties in the middle part of the frame, but neither could find the back of the net. The Lakers would secure the 3-0 victory after a defensive clinic in the final frame.
 
Spindel stopped all 30 Mountaineer shots, earning her 3^rd win of the year, as well as her 1^st shutout of the year.
 
The Lakers now set their sights on the CHE Playoffs, taking place in West Virginia at the Hope Gas Ice Pavillion on Saturday, February 28 and Sunday, March 1.