ERIE, Pa.- The Mercyhurst field hockey team opens the 2014 season in New York this weekend. On Friday, September 5, the Lakers play at Dowling in a 7 p.m. game. On Sunday, Mercyhurst heads to Adelphi for a noon contest.
 
Live stats will be available for the Adelphi game at http://www.sidearmstats.com/adelphi/fhockey/.
 
Mercyhurst won nine games in 2013, its most wins since the 2009 campaign. The Lakers return six of their top seven scorers, including Blair Pembleton, who scored a team-high 11 goals on her way to earning All-Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Third Team honors. Andrea Goldbach is back to lead the defense after picking up All-PSAC Second Team recognition last year.
 
Dowling began playing Division II field hockey last season, going 1-11 in its inaugural campaign. Sarah Shams-Kollar returns after posting a team-high five goals in 2013.
 
Adelphi went 11-9 last year, advancing to the Northeast-10 Tournament. Molly Cuevas put up five goals and 10 assists, while Kristen Bagley scored nine goals to lead the Panthers.
 
Mercyhurst beat Dowling, 6-0, on September 28, 2013. The Lakers led 1-0 at halftime before exploding for five second-half goals, including three in the first seven minutes after the break. Kelsey Lovelace scored two goals.
 
Mercyhurst and Adelphi will meet for the first time this weekend.