Kutztown, Pa. – The 21st-ranked Mercyhurst College Lakers opened up the 2008 campaign with a 2-1 victory over Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference foe Kutztown Saturday afternoon at Keystone Field in Kutztown, Pa. The Lakers (1-0), who kicked off the PSAC era after competing in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, overcame an early 1-0 deficit to pull out their ninth opening day victory in the last 10 years. Kutztown took an early 1-0 advantage when Carolynne Kahl converted the Golden Bears first shot of the game, a top-shelf strike past Laker netminder Rebecca Heintzman in the 11^th minute. Despite the early score, Merychurst would come back in grand fashion, scoring the game's next two goals and limiting the Golden Bears to just two shots for the entire contest. Lisa Melander (Oakville, Ontario / Blakelock) got the Lakers offense started with a score inside the box. After a blocked free kick attempt by Jamie Schroter (Mississauga, Ontario / Cawthra Park), Melander settled the ball and rifled the equalizer past the Golden Bears' keeper Steph Addleman at 25:44. The score would remain deadlocked until the second half when the Lakers offense emerged again. Taylor Hilinski (Erie, Pa. / Harborcreek) broke the tie with a short-crosse chip-in from teammate Sarah Powell (McKean, Pa. / General McLane) at the 56:26 mark. Thanks to a smothering Laker defense, Heintzman registered her 28^th collegiate victory without a save made. Counterpart Addelman suffered the loss, making eight saves in her freshman debut. The Lakers return to action on Monday, Sept. 1, when they take on Pitt-Johnstown on the road. Game time is set for 2 p.m.