NORTH CANTON, Ohio - The No. 19 Mercyhurst women's lacrosse team used a balanced attack with nine players recording goals (five scoring multiple) to down the Walsh University Cavaliers by a final of 16-6 in the season opener on Saturday afternoon at Vasco Field.
The Lakers were on the board for the first time in 2020 at the 2:05 mark when
Payton Cook took a pass from
Brenna Fosco and beat Rebecca Tomaszewski for the early 1-0 edge. Off the ensuing draw control Mercyhurst went back to work on the offensive end taking advantage of a foul in the arc as
Emma Hubert scored off the free-position attempt for a quick 2-0 lead. Walsh finally got their first chance of the game from the stick of Grace Andreski, but
Kaitlyn Lippert had other ideas. However, the home side scored on their next shot with Hannah McFeeters. The rest of the opening half was all Lakers with
Julia Rescott and Hubert both taking advantage of feeds from
Lacey Netti to make it 4-1 with 17:40 to play. Fosco picked up the next two markers both unassisted to open the margin to 6-1 at the 17:36 mark. The Lakers were not done as
Molly Meegan,
Gina Perna, Netti and Rescott all beat Tomaszewski in the final dozen minutes giving the guests a sizable 10-1 cushion at half.
Walsh looked to start a comeback early in the second-half with McFeeters cashing in twice, including once from the free-position to cut the deficit down to 10-3. Netti stopped the two-goal charge after Fosco set her up. Then, after a yellow card given to Emily Shea,
Paige Cocina scored man-up and then was immediately followed by the second of the day for Rescott to open up a double-digit advantage at 13-3 with 21:27 remaining. McFeeters continued her dominance in the period with her third to bring it down to 13-4, before
Rachel Plumley, Hubert and Perna buried three straight to extend the advantage to a dozen, 16-4 at the 23:05 mark. McFeeters and Andreski wrapped up the scoring for the day with goals 1:16 apart for the final tally of 16-6.
Mercyhurst outshot Walsh 30-17 (23-11 on goal). The Lakers held a 10-16 edge in turnovers, but were out done on the groundballs 23-12. Mercyhurst did however do better in the circle winning 14 of 24 draw controls. The visitors went 3-3 on free position shots, while the home team was limited to just 1-5.
Hubert and Rescott each had three goals, followed by two apiece by Netti, Fosco, and Perna. Four other players scored one each. Netti gave out a team-high four assists.
Kira Kolb won six draws. Lippert made three saves in the win, while teammate Raelynn Tiberio turned away two chances playing the second 30-minutes.
McFeeters scored five goals and Ellen Lawrence handed out two helpers. Tomaszewski stopped seven shots in cage.
Mercyhurst is back in action on Sunday, March 1st when they visit third-ranked Le Moyne College for an 11am opening draw.
