ERIE, Pa.- The #9 Mercyhurst field hockey team fell, 3-0, to #1 West Chester Wednesday afternoon at Tullio Field. Despite the loss, the Lakers moved closer to clinching a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Tournament spot.
 
Mercyhurst controlled the action for much of the second half, possessing the ball for long stretches against the Golden Ram defense. Early in the frame, the Lakers had a span of seven penalty corners and four shots, compared to one corner and zero shots for the visitors. West Chester later scored twice as time ran down in the half.
 
In the first half, Mercyhurst had several opportunities to get on the board, but the West Chester defense stood tall. Emily Koestler made a key play midway through the first period, sprinting back to break up a potential three-on-one breakaway for the Rams. However, a few minutes later, Alayna Brown scored to make it 1-0.
 
Jess Wess made eight saves in goal. Mercyhurst earned nine second-half corners.
 
Mercyhurst is now 7-6 in the PSAC. It is tied with Slippery Rock for fifth place. Kutztown, now 6-7 in the league, lost to Millersville, 2-0, Wednesday. The Lakers can clinch a PSAC Tournament berth with a win at Bloomsburg on Saturday, November 8. It can also secure a bid with a Kutztown loss to East Stroudsburg on Saturday. The Lakers would guarantee themselves the fifth seed in the PSAC Tournament with a win or a Slippery Rock loss to West Chester and a KU loss to ESU.