SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa.- The Mercyhurst field hockey team won, 2-1 in overtime, at #10 Slippery Rock Saturday evening. Kelley Hynes scored in the 82^nd minute to lift the Lakers to a key Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) win at chilly Mihalik-Thompson Stadium.
 
For the second time this season, the teams needed overtime to decide the outcome. On Saturday, each team had several opportunities early in OT. In the final three minutes of the first session, Blair Pembleton made a move and shot from the right side. The Rock goalie made the save, but the rebound came free to Hynes, who fired a shot from straight on, giving the Lakers the victory at the 82:09 mark.
 
With the win, Mercyhurst moved to 7-5 in the PSAC and holds the head-to-head tiebreaker with Slippery Rock, who fell to 7-6 in league action. The Lakers face West Chester and Bloomsburg to close the regular season, while SRU heads to West Chester next Saturday. Kutztown stands at 6-6 with two games left on its schedule, as it will take on Millersville and East Stroudsburg. Mercyhurst, Slippery Rock, and Kutztown are competing for two PSAC Tournament spots.
 
The teams were unable to find the back of the net in the first half, as Mercyhurst slowly established its presence as the period wore on. The Lakers held possession for much of the second half, but The Rock scored first, going ahead, 1-0, on a Kylie McCarty goal at the 47:52 mark.
 
Mercyhurst continued to control the action, and on its 10^th penalty corner chance, it cashed in. Marissa Faso inserted to Kelley Hynes, who threw the ball toward the net. It deflected off the stick of Jessica Hillman and past the SRU goalie, tying the match with 7:06 remaining in regulation.
 
Jess Wess finished with four saves in net. Hillman and Hynes each scored their first goal of the season. The Lakers earned 10 corners to four for the hosts. Mercyhurst outshot SRU, 9-7, on the night.
 
The contest marked the Lakers' fifth OT game of the year and their seventh one-goal decision in 2014. Mercyhurst beat The Rock, 4-3 in double overtime, in September.
 
The Lakers (9-7, 7-5 PSAC) host #2 West Chester in the 2014 home finale on Wednesday, November 5. The PSAC contest is scheduled for a 3 p.m. start at Tullio Field.