ERIE, Pa. - The Mercyhurst field hockey team hung tough for the first two quarters before the fourth-ranked Golden Bears of Kutztown University scored three times for the 3-0 win on Saturday morning at Saxon Stadium. 

Kutztown recorded four shots in the opening six minutes, but none of them tempted Mikayla Berndt in the cage.  The visitors had one more chance at goal with a penalty corner just as the time ran out, but this Berndt had to deny Hadley Wiktor.  The Golden Bears had the only five shots in second quarter as well.  However, one save from Berndt and a defensive stop by Mia D'Amato on an attempt by Izzy Radel allowed the game to stay scoreless through 30-minutes. 

The visitors continued to apply the pressure in the third and ultimately broke through at the 10:32 mark when Radel found Kyra Wozniak for a tip-in at the near post for the 1-0 lead.  Kutztown extended the advantage to 2-0 about three-minutes later as Radel chopped home a scrum in front of goal.  Juliana Borisow pushed the margin to 3-0 on a near-post tip thanks to a pass from Mackenzie Fuhrman.  Clare Ahern tried to get the Lakers on the board with three late chances at goal, but Kerri Hanshaw knocked one wide and the other two went wide for the final.  

Kutztown outshot Mercyhurst 24-3 (10-1 on goal).  They also held a 20-4 advantage in penalty corners. 

Berndt made seven saves on the day for the Lakers.

Mercyhurst will wrap up their 2019 home slate on Monday, October 28 when they welcome the Bobcats of Frostburg State for a 6pm start at Saxon Stadium.