Mansfield, Pa. – The Mercyhurst College field hockey team saw a first half lead disappear as the #10 Mansfield Mountaineers scored three unanswered goals in the second to defeat the Lakers, 3-1, Saturday afternoon in Mansfield, Pa.

Mercyhurst (0-2) took an early 1-0 advantage when freshman Serena Slattery (South Wales, N.Y. / Holland) netted her first collegiate goal off a penalty corner at 26:41. Junior Courtney Loper (Harrisburg, Pa. / Central Dauphin) was accredited with the assist after taking the corner pass from senior Courtney Monin (Lancaster, N.Y. / Lancaster) to set up the play.

With the lead, the Lakers buckled down on defense with senior netminder Jennifer Coleman (Newfane, N.Y. / Newfane) leading the way. Coleman made six of her season-high nine saves in the first 35-minutes of action to keep the 1-0 lead intact heading into halftime.

However, Mansfield would crack the Laker defense with three straight goals in the second frame, including one just 51 seconds in. Jessie Wolski, who led all scorers with three points, found the back of the box on an unassisted play at 35:51 followed by back-to-back markers from Laura Carden at 41:04 and 53:11.

The Mountaineers led the Lakers in shots, 20-6, and penalty corners, 10-5. Brianna DeLuca and Hayley Tuckey split time in net, with DeLuca surrendering the Slattery goal in 65:31 played while Tuckey finished the final 4:29 with one save made.

The Lakers return home this weekend to host Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference rival Slippery Rock on Sept. 13 at 1 p.m.