University of Connecticut
3-4-1
Mercyhurst
5-4-1
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | OT 1 | OT 2 | F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mercyhurst | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| UConn | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
10/25/2026 12:36:00 AM | Women's Ice Hockey
STORRS, Conn. – No. 11 UConn women's hockey skated to a 1-1 tie with the Mercyhurst Lakers on Saturday at Toscano Family Ice Forum. The Huskies move to 3-4-1 on the season.
UConn goaltender Taylor Belchetz handled an early Mercyhurst push with a series of saves before the Huskies generated a sustained stretch of chances near the middle of the first period.
Later in the opening period, freshman Caileigh Tiller continued her strong start to the season, scoring her team-leading sixth goal to give the Huskies a 1-0 lead. Tiller has scored in three consecutive games and has netted a point in eight straight games.
Mercyhurst answered with an equalizer just two minutes later, leveling the score at 1-1. The first period ended tied at one with shots favoring Mercyhurst, 14-11.
In the second period, UConn had the lone power play opportunity of the frame, generating several saves by Lakers goaltender Magdalena Luggin. The Huskies continued to create chances through the period, but Luggin turned aside multiple attempts. Mercyhurst applied pressure late, but Belchetz came up with several key saves to keep the Lakers off the board as the second period ended without a goal. Mercyhurst held a 12-7 advantage in shots.
Belchetz handled early Mercyhurst chances in the third period, making six saves through the first ten minutes. UConn pushed back later forcing consecutive saves before going on the power play with 2:46 left to play in regulation after Mercyhurst was called for tripping. The Huskies created several looks to find a game-winner, including a Julia Pellerin shot that rang off the post. However, Luggin and the Lakers penalty kill held strong to force overtime.
UConn controlled possession throughout the five-minute overtime period, eventually drawing a tripping penalty against Mercyhurst, giving the Huskies a prime opportunity to score the game-winner. UConn generated a series of chances, but the Mercyhurst penalty kill once again held strong, keeping the game tied. Mercyhurst had a chance to steal the win in the final seconds of overtime, earning a penalty shot with just four seconds remaining, but Belchetz denied the attempt to preserve the tie and send the game to a shootout.
The shootout began with Mariia Polozkova and Julia Pellerin both converting their opening attempts. Mercyhurst stayed even in the tiebreaker when Julia Perjus scored on the next attempt, and Claire Murdoch matched it with a make for UConn. After Sofia Nuutinen missed against Belchetz, Caileigh Tiller converted against Luggin to close the shootout with the Huskies ahead 3-2 in attempts made.
UConn held a 38-35 edge in shots on goal and won 33 faceoffs to Mercyhurst's 28. UConn has recorded at least 38 shots in two consecutive games. The Huskies went 0-3 on the power play, while Mercyhurst finished 0-1.
Caileigh Tiller scored UConn's lone goal and won a season-high 17 faceoffs at a 65% rate. Grace Riley recorded her first career assist. Belchetz finished with 34 saves. Chelsea Tiller recorded an assist, three shots and one blocked shot.
Up Next
UConn will open up Hockey East play with a home-and-home series against Holy Cross from October 29-30.
