No. 14/15 MERCYHURST (2-0-0, 0-0-0 AHA) vs. No. 9/9 MINNESOTA DULUTH (0-0-0, 0-0-0 WCHA)
Friday, Sept. 25 – 7 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 26 – 4 p.m.
Duluth, MN – AMSOIL Arena
TV: FloHockey
 
The Mercyhurst women's hockey team travels to Duluth, Minnesota this weekend to take on the Bulldogs in a two-game, non-conference series at the AMSOIL Arena. After securing a pair of home wins to kick off the season, the Lakers are looking to continue their early momentum and find success during their first road series of the season. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. Friday at the AMSOIL Arena, followed by game two at 4 p.m. on Saturday.

Matchup History

As it stands, the Lakers are 0-3 when facing the Bulldogs. The last meeting between these teams came on Sept. 20, 2025, where the Lakers fell in the finale of a two-game weekend series against the Bulldogs at the Mercyhurst Ice Center. Despite this, the Lakers found themselves in competitive battles, falling 4-3 in OT and 5-3 on the weekend. Prior to this, the two teams met in Buffalo, New York for a single matchup on Oct. 25, 2019, where the Bulldogs came out on top 4-1.

Lakers to Look Out For

Julia Perjus comes off a strong opening weekend performance for the Lakers where she registered 4 points (1G, 3A) throughout the pair of wins. In Saturday's game, 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 weekend with two coming in game 1 and another in game 2. In addition, VanNetten had a rating of +3 rating throughout the weekend.

Regina Metzler also exhibited a strong weekend, recording two points (1G, 1A) as well as having a +1 rating in game 1 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 weekend in game 2 against RPI. Both Polozkova and Duchene registered +2 ratings and a goal and an assist in the Homecoming finale.

Magdalena Luggin put in a strong performance in net for the Lakers, stopping 17 of 18 shots during Friday's game and all 11 in Saturday's game to secure a GAA of 0.50 on the weekend.

Minnesota Duluth Quick Hits

• The Bulldogs finished the 2025-26 season at 20-15-3 and a WCHA conference record of 15-10-3, with a goal differential of +17 (93 GF, 76 GA).
• UMD boasted a high-intensity offense, registering an average of 33.9 shots per game.
• The Bulldogs converted on the power play 13-of-109 chances, leaving a conversion rate of 11.9% last season.
• Caitlin Kraemer and former Laker Thea Johansson led the team in assists and goals respectively while Eve Gascon led the goalies with a record of 18-14-3 and a GAA of 1.77 and a save percentage of .942.