BOSTON - The semifinal round of the 2026 Atlantic Hockey America (AHA) Postseason tournament came to a close on Saturday as both No. 1 Penn State and No. 2 Mercyhurst were able to sweep opponents on home ice to advance to the league’s title game.
For the fourth consecutive season, the Nittany Lions and Lakers will face off in the AHA Championship. Penn State has won three straight crowns.
The Lakers are seeking their 14th championship, while the Nittany Lions hunt for their fourth overall.
NO. 3 LINDENWOOD VS. NO. 2 MERCYHURST
Lindenwood got on the board first and at one point had a 2-0 lead early in the middle frame on Saturday.
Sophomore forward
Silje Gundersen netted the game’s first two goals for the Lions.
Mercyhurst began its answer 6:38 into the second period and got on the board. In the third period, sophomore blueliner
Abby Poitras tied things up 2-2 for the Lakers.
The game went to overtime, but one session was not enough. In the second overtime, Mercyhurst cemented a sweep and a 3-2 win 7:35 into the period. The game-winner came off the stick of freshman forward
Berlin Lolacher, to advance her team to the league championship.
NO. 5 SYRACUSE VS. NO. 1 PENN STATE
Penn State senior forward
Tessa Janecke scored her fourth goal of the series as she took a 1-0 lead for the home team at the first period’s 15:00 mark.
Junior forward
Jackson Kinsler tied it 1-1 for the Orange, but that would mark their only goal of the game.
Sophomore forward
Abby Stonehouse found the back of the net 18:49 into the second period, to take back the lead in what would serve as the game-winner.
Penn State went on to a 2-1 win with senior goaltender
Katie DeSa making 15 saves in the series-winning contest.
SCORES
NO. 2 MERCYHURST 3 - NO. 3 LINDENWOOD 2
BOX SCORE
Mercyhurst Goals: Maja Alenius, Abby Poitras, Berlin Lolacher
Lindenwood Goals: Silje Gundersen (2)
NO. 1 PENN STATE 2 - NO. 5 SYRACUSE 1
BOX SCORE -
RECAP
Penn State Goals: Tessa Janecke, Abby Stonehouse
Syracuse: Jackson Kinsler
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.