MOON TOWNSHIP, Pa. – The RMU women's hockey team returns to action following its bye week with a conference road series at Mercyhurst, set for Friday and Saturday at the Mercyhurst Ice Center in Erie, Pa. Game one is scheduled for Friday, January 23 at 3:00 PM, followed by the series finale on Saturday, January 24 at 1:00 PM. Both contests will stream live on FloHockey.
 
RMU LATELY
RMU (10-14-2, 6-8-2 AHA) comes out of the bye week beginning a stretch of four consecutive weekends of competition. Offensively, sophomore Jessica MacKinnon continues to pace the Colonials, leading the team in goals (13), assists (15) and points (28). Senior Morgan Giannone has added nine goals and 11 assists, while captain Alaina Giampietro has contributed 11 goals and six helpers.
 
From the blue line, freshman Linnea Misner leads all RMU defensemen in scoring with four goals and 12 assists. Defensively, sophomore Shayne Desjardins anchors the effort with 65 blocked shots across 21 games.
 
In goal, Maggie Hatch has recorded eight wins and five shutouts this season. Her eight career shutouts rank second-most in program history. The redshirt sophomore boasts a .932 save percentage and a 2.08 goals-against average.
 
On special teams, RMU's power play is converting at a 16.3% clip, while the penalty kill stands at 78.4%. The Colonials also continue to rank among the nation's top faceoff teams, winning 55.9% of their draws.
 
NCAA LEADER
MacKinnon leads all of NCAA women's hockey in faceoff wins, totaling 353 on the season. Only six players nationwide have eclipsed the 300-win mark, with the next closest skater trailing MacKinnon by 38 wins.
 
ALL-TIME VS. MERCYHURST
RMU enters the weekend with a 22-60-5 all-time record against Mercyhurst. Earlier this season, the Lakers claimed both games of the series, winning 5-1 and 7-2. Rowyn Ringor registered two assists in the matchup, while Taylor Storey posted a goal and an assist.
 
SCOUTING THE LAKERS
Mercyhurst (16-10-2, 12-5-1 AHA) comes into the series riding a three-game winning streak after sweeping RIT and earning an overtime victory over No. 4 Penn State.
 
Redshirt freshman Julia Perjust leads the Lakers in goals (12), power-play goals (5) and points (26), while sophomore Julia Schalin has also totaled 26 points, including a team-best 18 assists.
 
Defensively, sophomore Abby Poitras has blocked 51 shots. In net, sophomore Magdalena Luggin has earned 12 wins with two shutouts and a .921 save percentage. Backup goaltender Tara Bach has also been strong, recording two shutouts and a .946 save percentage in five appearances.
 
As a team, Mercyhurst averages 2.9 goals per game while allowing 2.2. The Lakers' power play operates at 24.2%, and their penalty kill sits at 85.2%. In the faceoff circle, Mercyhurst holds a 51.0% win rate.
 
UP NEXT
RMU will continue its road trip with a historic series against Penn State. The series opener will be an outdoor matchup at Beaver Stadium on Friday, January 30 at 1:00 PM, followed by the finale inside Pegula Ice Arena on Saturday, January 31 at 6:00 PM.
 
Follow The Colonials: Facebook | X | Instagram | TikTok | LinkedIn | RMU Athletics Gameday App