The Mercyhurst University Field Hockey team was back in action at Saxon Stadium on Wednesday afternoon for a PSAC matchup against the Crimson Hawks of IUP. The Lakers ultimately fell in a close fought contest, 2-0.

In the first half, it was a defensive stalemate as neither team found the back of the cage through the first 30 minutes of play. Kayla Desormeau started in goal for Mercyhurst as did Amanda Zaner for the Crimson Hawks. Desormeau, who is currently second in Division II in saves per game, stopped all 14 shots that IUP put on the cage in the first half. Zaner stopped the single shot she saw in the half.

In the third quarter, both teams continued their offensive woes as the score remained 0-0 for the duration of the quarter. Mercyhurst was able to draw five corner opportunities in the quarter  compared to the Crimson Hawks four.

Rory Cahill broke the seal off the goal for IUP early in the fourth quarter to give IUP the 1-0 advantage, Cahill controlled a corner ball at the top of the circle and fired her shot past the Laker defense. IUP added an insurance goal a minute and 39 seconds later courtesy of Blaise Cugini to make the final score of the contest 2-0.

Desormeau finished with 23 saves for the Lakers, Evelien Hulshof and Alexis Lovewell each had one shot on goal for Mercyhurst.

The Lakers will close out their regular season this Saturday at 1:00 p.m when they welcome Bloomsburg University to Saxon Stadium.