ERIE, Pa. - The Mercyhurst field hockey concluded the home portion of their 2019 schedule by suffering a heartbreaking 2-1 non-conference loss to the visiting Bobcats of Frostburg State University at Saxon Stadium on Monday night.

Frostburg looked to strike first as just 85-seconds in Taylor Henderson gained possession inside of the circle when Taylor Henderson was shutdown by Lakers starting keeper Mikayla Berndt.  A dozen second later they would earn a penalty corner, but the insert from Brooke Lafayette did not result in a chance.  Mercyhurst had their opportunity a little under three minutes later when Clare Ahern charged down the right side and had her shot beat Sierra Smizer unfortunately though it clanged off the crossbar to leave things scoreless.

Offense lookin good! Cross bar is not our friend!!! pic.twitter.com/m5BeX5VLk2

— Hurst Field Hockey (@MUFHLakers) October 28, 2019

However, Ahern got revenge for the crossbar hit at the 4:50 mark as she ripped one beyond the reach of Smizer for the 1-0 lead.  Mercyhurst continued the attack with Alexis Lovewell, Hayley Skidmore, and Alexis Skibitsky forcing three saves from Smizer in a 1:10 span.  The Bobcats drew level with 1:40 remaining as Gabby Rachuba fired one that Berndt turned aside, but the rebound kicked back out to Brooke Lafayette who pushed it across the line for the 1-1 score through one.  

The second quarter saw just four shots between the two sides as Rachuba recorded the only chance for the Bobcats in the period.  Mercyhurst had an opportunity from Skidmore that went wide, Ahern was then blocked, and she would force Smizer to make yet another save with 57-seconds left before half keeping things even at the half.  

Rachuba posted the first shot of the second half with 2:54 elasped, but it sailed wide.  In the sixth minute of the quarter Ahern and Skibitsky both had attempts that never reached goal in just a five second stretch.  Mercyhurst kept up the pressure and had a fantastic chance to grab the lead when they were awarded a penalty stroke for a violation inside the circle by the Bobcats.  Ahern stepped up to the spot for the stroke, but Smizer diving down to her right kept the shot from crossing the line.  Four different Lakers recorded shots the rest of the quarter, but tries from Raylynn Chraston, Jillian Blas, Katie Ballew, and Ahern were unable to test Smizer.

Frostburg went in search of the lead early in the fourth when Sam Coffey and Rachuba both missed wide of Berndt in cage leaving the game at 1-1.  Ahern had another go at goal with 6:53 left, but she also rolled the shot wide.  The Bobcats were determined not to have the game get to overtime as Rachuba carried down the left wing and fired one passed Berndt, fortunately, for the home side Leah Rogers was there to sweep it away as well as concede a penalty corner.  Off the ensuing corner Lafayette fed the ball to Coffey she in turned sent a pass to Rachuba who beat the keeper for the 2-1 win.  

Ahern led the Lakers with eight shots, while Skidmore and Skibitsky both had two.  Abby D'Amato, Ballew, and Blas each posted one shot.  Berndt made four stops on the night.     

Rachuba matched Ahern with eight shots as well.  Coffey, Henderson, and Lafayette accounted for one chance apiece.  Smizer picked up five saves.

Mercyhurst returns to action on Wednesday, October 30th when they visit the Crimson Hawks of Indiana University of Pennsylvania for 7pm first hit at Frank Cignetti Field at George P. Miller Stadium.