ERIE, Pa. (Interstat) — Syracuse will try to stay perfect Friday when it visits Mercyhurst for a women’s NCAA Division I hockey game at Mercyhurst Ice Center.

The Orange are 2-0 and have opened the season with two wins over Stonehill. Syracuse most recently won 4-1, getting two goals and six shots on goal from Jackson Kinsler. Ava Drabyk stopped 19 of 20 shots to earn the win, while Jordan Blouin recorded an assist and 11 shots on goal. In the earlier meeting, Syracuse won 3-0, and Kinsler contributed five shots on goal.

Kinsler, a right wing, has been a central part of Syracuse’s early attack. The Orange have outscored their first two opponents 7-1. Syracuse will aim to carry that form into a road test at Mercyhurst.

Mercyhurst is 2-2 after splitting its first four games. The Lakers opened with two home wins over RPI, winning 3-1 and 3-0. Julia Perjus was productive in that series, posting a goal, five shots on goal and two penalty minutes in the first game, then adding a goal, two assists and two shots in the second. She is a center to watch for Mercyhurst.

The Lakers then dropped two games at Minnesota Duluth. They fell 2-0 before a 4-0 loss in the most recent outing. Perjus had two shots on goal in each game. Berlin Lolacher recorded three shots on goal and Halle Duchene added two in the 4-0 defeat. Mercyhurst will look to regroup at home.

Syracuse’s most recent result was a 4-1 win over Stonehill. Kinsler led the way with two goals and six shots on goal, Drabyk made 19 saves, and Blouin finished with an assist and 11 shots. The Orange also earned a 3-0 win over Stonehill in their previous game, with Kinsler putting five shots on goal.

Mercyhurst’s recent results include the two losses at Minnesota Duluth and the two wins over RPI. The Lakers have been led offensively by Perjus, who has shown the ability to score and set up teammates. Her performance against RPI included a three-point game, and she remained active against Minnesota Duluth despite the team’s offensive struggles.

The matchup features a Syracuse team riding momentum against a Mercyhurst squad seeking consistency. The Orange will rely on Kinsler’s scoring touch and Drabyk’s goaltending, while the Lakers will counter with Perjus and a home crowd at Mercyhurst Ice Center. The game is the first of two meetings between the programs, with the second set for the following day.

Interstat’s game simulator projects Mercyhurst to beat Syracuse 6-2.