BOSTON - The current campaign continued on Friday, with five Atlantic Hockey America (AHA) programs competing for the first time in the new year on the first day of the 2026 portion of the schedule.

(RV) Mercyhurst opened the scoring and did not stop as it added an overwhelming three straight into the back of the net. Lindenwood was able to tack on one goal in the opening minute of the final frame, but that was all it produced in the contest.

The Lakers cruised to a 5-1 victory, with each goal being scored by a different skater. Sophomore forward Julia Schalin (3A) and junior defenseman Sofia Ljung (1G-2A) both tallied three points in the game.

Freshman goaltender Tara Bach made 20 saves on the evening.

Delaware got off to a 1-0 lead less than 3:30 into the opening frame, and even held it into the first intermission. However, graduate forward Kaitlin Finnegan’s game-opening power play goal would serve as the Blue Hens’ only one on the board.

Syracuse added three straight, with one in the second period and two in the third, to take a 3-1 victory in AHA play to begin January. Freshman forward Jordan Blouin (1G-1A) recorded the only multi-point effort in the game.

Freshman goaltender Ava Drabyk made 13 saves in the victory.

No. 4/4 Penn State fell 1-5 at No. 2/2 Ohio State after allowing four straight goals to the Buckeyes to open the contest.

SCORES
(RV) MERCYHURST 5 - LINDENWOOD 1
BOX SCORE - RECAP
Mercyhurst goals: Regina Metzler, Sofia Nuutinen, Julia Perjus, Sofia Ljung, Henlee Mahoney
Lindenwood Goals: Tatiana Blichova

SYRACUSE 3 - DELAWARE 1
BOX SCORE
Syracuse Goals: Jordan Blouin, Stella Costabile, Peyton Armstrong
Delaware Goals: Kaitlin Finnegan

NO. 4/4 PENN STATE 1 - NO. 2/2 OHIO STATE 5
BOX SCORE - RECAP
Penn State Goals: Maddy Christian
Ohio State Goals: Sloane Matthews, Joy Dunne, Maxine Cimoroni (2), Hilda Svensson

ABOUT ATLANTIC HOCKEY AMERICA
Atlantic Hockey America (AHA) is in its second season following the merger between the Atlantic Hockey Association and College Hockey America. The conference fields 10 Division I men's teams and seven women's teams. For more information, visit atlantichockeyamerica.com.

Connect with AHA on X (@Atlantic_Hockey), Instagram (@atlantichockeyamerica) and Facebook (Atlantic Hockey America).

Watch AHA home games on FloHockey this season.