MAINE vs. MERCYHURST

Time, site: Saturday, 1 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m., Alfond Arena, Orono

Records: Maine 0-0, Mercyhurst 0-0

Series, last meeting: 1-1, Maine 4-0 on Nov. 25, 2000

Key players (last year’s stats): Maine – C Brigitte Laflamme (14 goals, 17 assists), D Kelly Law (7 & 18), LW Vanessa Vani (11 & 13), C Sonia Corriveau (12 & 11), D Kim Meagher (2 & 7), D Jenna Cowan (2 & 5), G Genevieve Turgeon (9-8-4, 2.31 goals-against average, .889 save percentage); Mercyhurst – C Valerie Chouinard (26 & 25), C Julia Colizza (20 & 22), LW Stephanie Bourbeau (17 & 18), C Meghan Agosta (DNP), D Ashley Pendleton (10 & 16), D Danielle Ayearst (1 & 12), G Laura Hosier (14-8-5, 1.82, .908)

Outlook: The Lakers return 16 skaters off an NCAA Tournament team that lost to eventual national champion Wisconsin 2-1 in double overtime in the quarterfinals. The Lakers are ranked fifth in the nation in one preseason poll and sixth in another. Freshman Agosta played for Canada’s gold medal-winning Olympic team last year. Maine center Robyn Law, sister of defenseman Kelly, played for Mercyhurst last season (4 & 4 in 37 games) before transferring. Mercyhurst will be bolstered by the return of LW Jackie Jarrell, who hasn’t played in over a year and a half due to a concussion. Interim head coach Lauren Steblen makes her debut for Maine. Maine is going to have to do a thorough job in the defensive zone and capitalize on its chances against Mike Sisti’s Lakers.