CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The Mercyhurst field hockey team got five saves from goalie Libby Jones, but were not able to solve Belmont Abbey keeper Paige Hinds as the Lakers suffered a 3-0 defeat in the season opener on Friday afternoon at Bessant Field on the campus of Queens University (N.C.).

The goalies did not have much to do until the 13:30 mark of the first when the Crusaders Camrynn Aiello took a feed from Angelina Perrone and slipped the first shot of the game past Jones for a 1-0 lead through the opening frame. 

Belmont opened the second quarter strong firing four shots before grabbing a 2-0 lead at 4:02 on an unassisted marker by Bizzy Baumeier. 

Through the opening 30 minutes, Jones had recorded four saves on six shots on goal, while offensively Mercyhurst was stymied by the Crusaders defense as they did not post a shot in the half. 

Lauren Delisi struck just 1:15 into the third to stretch the edge to 3-0.  The Lakers finally put some pressure on the opponent's cage late in the third as Alexis Lovewell had her shot swept off the line by defender Kelsey Garrison, which led to a penalty corner.  The ensuing insert from Mia D'Amato landed on the stick of Katie Ballew, unfortunately, her blast was denied by Hinds.  Lizzy Laird and D'Amato also recorded shots in the quarter, but neither found the back of the net.

The Crusaders got the only two shots of the fourth to see out the 3-0 victory. 

Mercyhurst was outshot 11-5 on the day, while both teams earned a pair of penalty corners.

The Lakers return to action tomorrow, September 7 when they face Queens University (N.C.) right back at Bessant Field beginning at 11am.