Boucher Nets Hat Trick as Mercyhurst OBLITERATES Syracuse

By Chilekasi Adele | @CAdeleTV

Citrus TV Women’s Ice Hockey Beat Reporter

ERIE, Pa. — Sara Boucher exploded for a hat trick early Friday afternoon as Mercyhurst (19-9-2, 9-5 College Hockey America) trounced Syracuse 9-0.

It was a rough game for the Orange (12-10-6, 10-4-1 College Hockey America) — their first loss of 2022. Goaltender Arielle DeSmet gave up three goals in the first period. The Senior Transfer was replaced by Goaltender Allison Small, who gave up six goals in the final 40 minutes of the game.

Syracuse actually played well during the early half of the first period. Right after the first period media timeout, things started to go south. The aforementioned Boucher scored her 14th goal of the season about 14 minutes into the game. About three minutes later, the sophomore forward added another goal. With about 1:11 remaining in the first period, Kristy Pidgeon added another one for the Lakers, as they took a 3-0 lead.

In the 2nd, Mercyhurst continued its torrid pace. Freshman Marielle Parks opened up the middle period with her eighth goal of the season. Sara Boucher would score less than a minute later — her third of the game and 15th of the season. Syracuse crossed its season-record five goals allowed about four minutes later, when Chantal Ste-Croix scored her 11th goal of the season. Mercyhurst goaltender Ena Nystrøm recorded an assist on that goal by Ste-Croix.

Around the 2nd period, Mercyhurst had been 6/24 on shots — that translates to a 25% efficiency. Lilianne Perreault scored the seventh goal of the night for Mercyhurst early in the third. The Senior from Illinois has four goals on the season. Perreault added her fifth a few minutes later in the third. With 48 seconds left, Chantal Ste-Croix netted the final goal of the game, to make it 9-0. Ste-Croix scored two goals Friday, and has 12 on the season.

Allison Small saved 20 out of 26 shots friday. Arielle DeSmet was three of nine Friday afternoon. As for the Lakers, Ena Nystrøm was flawless. The Norwegian junior saved all 27 shots she faced.

Friday’s performance was not what Syracuse wanted. The Orange will now sit only three points in front of the Lakers with one game left in the regular season. Mercyhurst has three conference games remaining after Friday. The host of the CHA tournament will be determined by points percentage, but Mercyhurst still has the opportunity to finish first in the conference if they win Saturday afternoon. Gametime is set for 2 p.m. from the Mercyhurst Ice Center in Erie, Pa.

ccadele@syr.edu | @CAdeleTV