ERIE, Pa.  – The Mercyhurst women's hockey team hosted Lindenwood this afternoon in game one of the AHA Semifinals. Lindenwood entered the contest as the three seed, after winning their first-ever home playoff game last weekend. The Lakers struck first and the Lions equalized later in the same period. The score remained tied until the final five minutes of play when Julia Perjus scored the game-winning goal on the powerplay to seal the win, 2-1. The Lakers are now unbeaten in their past 10 games.  
 
Mercyhurst (22-10-3, 18-5-2 AHA) began the first period by establishing an early lead when Perjus scored on a heads-up play at 16:38. This was Perjus' first-career postseason goal and her 16th goal of the season. The Lakers kept up this offensive pressure with multiple attempts on goal. On the other end, Lindenwood (14-20-2, 11-13-1 AHA) kept firing shots of their own. Magdalena Luggin kept many of these shots away, but the Lions eventually equalized at 1:51. Despite the Lakers consistent efforts to regain the lead, the period concluded with the score tied at one.
 
The Laker began the second period by countering Lindenwood's pressure with strong defensive plays, including key saves by Luggin. The Lakers' shot-stopping was active, with Jessica Ciarrocchi putting her body on the line to make a crucial block Despite a roughing penalty midway through the period, the Lakers successfully killed the Lion's power play and quickly transitioned into their own power-play opportunity. Although Mercyhurst maintained offensive pressure with shots from Payten Evans and several others, they were unable to break through the Lion's goaltending. The score was still 1-1 heading into the second intermission. 
 
Mercyhurst began the third period by capitalizing on a five-on-three powerplay at 5:31. Here, Perjus received the puck from Maja Alenius and Evans to net the game-winning goal. The goal came during a power play initiated by a Lindenwood penalty for having too many players on the ice. Mercyhurst maintained pressure throughout the period, generating numerous shots on goal. Defensive efforts, highlighted by Luggin's key saves, helped preserve the lead. The game concluded with the Lakers securing a 2-1 victory in game one of this AHA semifinal series. Perjus netted both goals and was 17/28 from the faceoff circle. 
 
Puck drop for game two of this AHA semifinal series will take place tomorrow at 1 p.m. If the Lakers win, they will advance to their fifth consecutive AHA Championship game.