Syracuse University
14-15-4, 10-10-3
Mercyhurst
20-10-3, 16-5-2
Cardiac 'Cuse Defeats Mercyhurst in Shootout
2/13/2026 8:44:00 PM | Ice Hockey
ERIE, Pa. – The Syracuse women's ice hockey team showed resilience and determination, earning a hard-fought shootout victory over Mercyhurst Friday evening at Mercyhurst Ice Center.
Syracuse (14-15-4, 10-10-3 AHA) battled back from a 2-1 deficit with a dramatic late-period equalizer, then survived a pressure-filled overtime before securing the win in the shootout. Emma Gnade scored the lone shootout goal for 'Cuse. The Orange received stellar goaltending from Ava Drabyk, who made 27 saves through overtime and stopped all three Lakers shooters in the shootout to preserve the victory.
Mercyhurst (20-10-3, 16-5-2 AHA) could not answer in the shootout despite a two-point effort from Jade Maisonneuve. Magdalena Luggin made 22 saves in the losing effort for the Lakers.
How it Happened
- Syracuse opened the scoring at 0:38 of the first period when Rylee McLeod found the back of the net on an unassisted goal.
- Mercyhurst responded at 12:35 of the first period when Holly VanNetten tied the game on assists from Sofia Nuutinen and Maisonneuve.
- The Lakers took their first lead at 2:30 of the third period when Berlin Lolacher scored on assists by Maisonneuve and Maja Alenius.
- The Orange refused to back down, and Jackson Kinsler came through in the clutch, scoring the game-tying goal with just 1:31 remaining in regulation, assisted by Stella Costabile, to force overtime.
- Neither team could break through in a thrilling five-minute overtime period, despite Syracuse hitting the post late in the extra session.
- In the shootout, Emma Gnade beat Magdalena Luggin to give Syracuse the edge, and Drabyk slammed the door shut, denying all three Mercyhurst attempts to secure the Orange victory.
Behind the Numbers
- Drabyk was exceptional in net, making 27 saves through 65 minutes of play and going 3-for-3 in the shootout to earn the win.
- Costabile contributed an assist and won two of three faceoffs, while adding two blocked shots on the defensive end.
- Gnade controlled the faceoff circle winning 7 of 10 draws.
- Rachel Walsh led the Orange defense with three blocks while five other Orange skaters had two blocks.
Up Next
Syracuse will face the Lakers again Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m. at the Mercyhurst Ice Center for the regular-season finale. The game will be streamed on FloHockey.
