ERIE, Pa.- The Mercyhurst field hockey team hosts #4 Millersville in the 2013 opener Sunday, September 8. The match is scheduled for a noon start at Tullio Field.
 
Live stats will be available at http://www.sidearmstats.com/hurst/fhockey/.
 
The game will not count in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) standings. The newly-aligned league features one division this season. The top six teams at the end of the regular season will qualify for the PSAC Tournament.
 
The Lakers return 97 percent of their scoring from 2012. Marissa Faso led with nine goals and five assists, while Meghan Smith scored six goals. Blair Pembleton dished out a team-high six assists. Jess Wess is back in goal after making 124 saves in 16 starts last year.
 
Millersville is ranked fourth in the Penn Monto/NFHCA Division II preseason poll. It picked up one first-place vote as well. The Marauders won 14 games last season and advanced to the PSAC Tournament Championship before falling to eventual NCAA Champion West Chester. Goalkeeper Lauren Sotzkin posted a 1.07 goals against average last year, recording eight shutouts along the way.
 
The Marauders open their season at home against Lindenwood on Friday afternoon.