ERIE, Pa.- In 2012, the Mercyhurst field hockey team won five home games, establishing home-field advantage and setting itself up for success in 2013. The Lakers return all but three players to face a strong schedule in the fall.


 
Last year, Mercyhurst played three NCAA Tournament qualifiers, including NCAA Champion West Chester. In 2013, the Lakers have nine games on the schedule against teams ranked in the National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) Preseason Poll.
 
The Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) moved to one division for this season, changing the schedule format. Mercyhurst will face each team in the conference once, plus four extra matches with PSAC foes that will not count in the league standings. At the end of the regular season, the top six teams will qualify for the PSAC Tournament.
 
The Lakers open the season with three home matches, including the season-opener against #4 Millersville on September 8. They host #2 Shippensburg on September 24. Mercyhurst has another three-game home stand in late October before closing the regular season at #1 West Chester (October 29) and at home against #3 Bloomsburg (November 2).
 
Marissa Faso returns after leading the team with nine goals and 23 points last year. Meghan Smith added six goals, while Cayla Slade scored five times and Blair Pembleton had six assists. Jess Wess is back in goal after posting three shutouts in 2012.
 
The Lakers will have to replace Megan Richards, Jessica Richards, and Tesa Ramsdell, who each graduated in May. Coach Stacey Gaudette has six seniors on this year's roster.