ERIE, Pa. – After an interesting day on Sunday that saw them play a pair of non-conference contests against Walsh and D'Youville the 22^nd-ranked Mercyhurst women's lacrosse team will return to Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference west division play on Wednesday afternoon as they make the drive down I-79 to take on Slippery Rock University. 

Game Information
Opponents – The Rock of Slippery Rock University
Date - Wednesday, March 17
Time - 4:00 pm
Location – Slippery Rock, Pa. (Mihalik-Thompson Stadium)
Series History vs Rock - Hurst leads, 14-1 / Last Lakers Win: 14-6 on 3/11/20 (home) / Last Rock Win: 11-9 on 4/22/15 (home)
Fan Statement – Only a limited number of home team fans will be permitted inside Mihalik-Thompson Stadium.
Live Stats
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Scouting the Lakers (3-0, 1-0 PSAC West)
Balanced Offense
The Lakers filled up the scoresheet on Sunday as 19 different players recorded points between the two games.  The Green and Blue were led by Julia Rescott and Julia Ruscio totaling seven goals between the pair. 

Phenomenal Freshmen
Grace Gajan, Christina Judy and Gabby McGinn have had solid starts to their Mercyhurst careers as they have racked up 18 points thanks to seven goals and 11 helpers led by McGinn with 14 points in just three games.  Both Gajan and Judy have hit the back of the net as well. 

Both Goalies Getting Action
Both Kaitlyn Lippert and Raelyn Tiberio took part in Sunday's doubleheader with Lippert playing against Walsh, before Tiberio went between the pipes for D'Youville.  Lippert allowed 10 goals against the Cavaliers­ making 11 stops in the win, while Tiberio was test less against the Saints surrendering seven markers, but turning away eight.    

Not Letting Things Come Easy
Over the two contests on Sunday the Lakers made it difficult on the opponent to gain the offensive side of the field allowing just 25-39 clears to be completed successfully, including an impressive 9-21 mark versus D'Youville in game number two. 

Draw Controls by Committee
Mercyhurst had nine different players pick up draw control wins led by seven for Paige Cocina, followed by six from Payton Cook.  Torie Sullivan and Nina Stephens each racked up four against D'Youville, while Grace Gajan notched three.  The duo of Kiera Boettcher and Lauren Cain combined for four victories     

Stat Pack
As a team they have recorded 114 shots with 92 of them going on goal for an .807 shots on goal percentage.  The scooped up 67 groundballs and caused 33 of their opponents 48 turnovers.  Mercyhurst so far has gone 49-57 on their clear attempts.  
 
On the Rocks (1-1, 0-1 PSAC West)
Slippery Rock began the season with a solid 16-9 win over Tiffin at home last Wednesday, before slipping up on Sunday in their PSAC West opener falling 12-8 to IUP on the road.  Pacing the SRU offense so far is Emily Benham and Hayley Pimentel who both have seven points thanks to six goals and one assist a piece.  Jamie DiCarlo has added four markers and two helpers as well.  Defensively, Sam Barnhart, Molly Buettner Gillian O'Rourke, Syndey Shnider and Charleigh Rondeau all have pickedup  five groundballs to lead the team, while between the pipes O'Rourke has posted a 10.50 goals against average giving up 21 goals and making just 19 saves for a .475 save percentage.  The Rock are averaging 30.5 shots per game and have gone 3-14 on free-position attempts.  Head Coach Kelsey Van Alstyne leads The Rock for the fourth season.
 
On Deck
Mercyhurst returns home on Tuesday, March 23^rd when they continue PSAC West play as the Griffins of Seton Hill University come calling to Saxon Stadium at 4pm.