NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. (Interstat) — The Union Garnet Chargers will aim to build on a perfect start to the season when they visit the Merrimack Warriors for a women’s NCAA Division I hockey game on Friday at Lawler Arena.

Union enters the matchup with a 2-0-0 record after opening the year with a pair of road wins at Franklin Pierce. The Garnet Chargers won the most recent meeting 2-0 on Saturday, following a 4-3 overtime victory on Friday, Sep 25, 2026. The team has shown early scoring balance and timely goaltending while playing its first four periods of the season away from home.

Emma Rheaume is a player to watch for Union. In the 2-0 win at Franklin Pierce, she stopped all 24 shots she faced to record the shutout. Rheaume’s play in net has given the Garnet Chargers a steady foundation, and her ability to handle pressure will be tested against a Merrimack side that has already shown it can generate offense in front of its home crowd. Union also received production in that win from Megan Duplantie, who had one goal and one assist with six shots on goal and one hit, and Madi Gaines, who scored one goal on three shots.

Merrimack is 1-1-0 on the young season after splitting a two-game home series against Lindenwood. The Warriors dropped a 3-2 decision on Thursday, Sep 24, 2026, before responding with a 3-0 win on Friday. That victory gave Merrimack its first win of the campaign and provided a strong finish to the opening weekend.

Machala Musty is a player to watch for Merrimack. In the 3-0 win over Lindenwood, she made 20 saves on 20 shots to earn the victory. Musty also appeared in the 3-2 loss on Thursday, Sep 24, 2026, when she stopped 19 of 19 shots she faced. Her recent form in net has been a bright spot for the Warriors, and she will be counted on to slow a Union attack that has started the season with consecutive wins. Madison Vittands added one goal and one assist with six shots in the most recent Merrimack victory, while McKenzie Cerrato scored one goal on six shots and served two penalty minutes.

The game is the first of a two-game weekend series between the programs. Union is scheduled to remain at Merrimack on Saturday, Oct 3, 2026, before returning to nonconference play at Delaware on Friday, Oct 16, 2026. Merrimack will also host Union on Saturday, Oct 3, 2026, before traveling to Boston College on Wednesday, Oct 14, 2026.

Interstat’s game simulator is projecting a final score of Merrimack 2, Union 1.