After decades of dominance, Mercyhurst has fallen in five straight Atlantic Hockey America conference title games. This season, the Lakers women's hockey team hopes to reclaim their stake as the top team in the AHA.
Mercyhurst has come up just short against Penn State in recent seasons in their quest for their 15th conference title. They've lost the last five conference title games, but this season, look like they could do more.
For a decade, Mercyhurst was the conference's top team, producing star players like Canadian Olympian Meghan Agosta. Head coach Michael Sisti was there for it all, entering his 28th season behind the bench at Mercyhurst, and he believes his players and staff are ready to step back atop the conference ladder.
"We really like our group. My staff works so hard, and are so dedicated. They do a wonderful job, with our players, and helping me, and are a huge part of all our successes," said Michael Sisti.
Part of the NCAA women's hockey program's success has come from their ability to recruit international talent.
Two players from Mercyhurst's roster, Swedish forward Julia Perjus and Hungarian netminder Magdalena Luggin received mention in Atlantic Hockey America's preseason coaches poll. Sisti touted the pair.
"Just wonderful people," he said. "Compete, and I really think they're scratching the surface. They've obviously had a great season last year, but they do have the drive to keep getting better. They work extremely hard on and off the ice."
They also lost a few key pieces this season in forward Julia Schalin who transferred to Minnesota, and netminder Tara Bach who left for Vermont.
But Sisti believes his group is just beginning to show their potential after adding 14 new players last season. And he says his Mercyhurst roster is ready to do whatever they can to take their roster to new heights.
"It's a group that just is eager to work, and they want to get better. So, the pace is fantastic, and you know, it really looks like they've come together off the ice," Sisti said.
"Our young players are ready and prepared, so, it's been fun out there. They're fired up, they're looking good, and obviously we got a little more time before our first games, but we're looking forward to them."
Some of the players to watch as newcomers this season for Mercuhurst include Swiss defender Sonja Inkamp, Russian forward Mariia Polozkova, as well as Canadian recruit Zoe Cramer, and transfers Kismet Dogan and Lucy DeCoteau, who are both coming from Saint Anselm.
Mercyhurst opens their 2026-27 NCAA women's hockey season with a pair of non-conference series' against RPI on September 18-19, and Minnesota-Duluth the following weekend. They open AHA conference play October 2 and 3 hosting Syracuse.
