ERIE, Pa. – The 25^th-ranked Mercyhurst women's lacrosse team looks to avenge a 15-12 loss to Seton Hill University when they make the trip down to Greensburg to battle the No. 23 Griffins on Saturday afternoon in a big Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference West Division contest at Dick's Sporting Goods Field.

Game Information
Opponents –
Date - Saturday, April 17
Time - 1:00 pm
Location – Greensburg, Pa. (Dick's Sporting Goods Field)
Series History - Hurst leads, 14-2 / Last Lakers Win: 13-10 on 4/10/19 (home) / Last SHU Win: 15-12 on 3/23/21 (away).
Fan Statement – All fans will be allowed in Greensburg on Saturday.  See Seton Hill fan policy here.
Live Stats
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First Meeting – Seton Hill 15, LAKERS 12 (3/23/21)
The Lakers fell behind early 3-0 less than two minutes in, before Julia Rescott and Molly Meegan each tallied to cut the gap to on with 15:23 left in the first.  Seton Hill netted the next three to take a 6-2 lead, but Paige Cocina joined the party along with two more from Rescott closing to within 7-5 at half.  Cocina and Rescott sandwiched two Griffins markers to hold the margin at 9-7.  Julia Ruscio scored with 23:06 to play to make it 10-8.  However, that was the closest the Lakers would get the rest of the game with Victoria Gottorff, Gabby McGinn and Ruscio accounting for the rest of the offense as the Griffins held on for the 15-12 win.  The game was decided at the circle as Seton Hill won 22 of 29 draws on the afternoon.

Scouting the Lakers (7-2, 5-2 PSAC West)
Career Day for Meegan
Senior midfielder Molly Meegan had a career day on Saturday afternoon against Slippery Rock posting her first collegiate hat trick and handed out a pair of assists in the Lakers 13-11 triumph.  On the season she has 13 goals thanks to 11 goals, while adding 15 draw controls, 13 ground balls and forcing nine turnovers. 
 
Balanced Offense
Mercyhurst got contributions from six different players on Saturday as Ruscio joined Meegan with three goals by notching her fourth hat trick of the campaign.  Paige Cocina, Payton Cook and Rachel Hirst each chipped in a pair of markers, while Marissa Comerate buried the lone other tally on the afternoon.   

Givin' McGinn
For only the second time in nine games Gabby McGinn was not allowed to hand out an assist as the Rock defense smothered No. 11 all afternoon.  It was also the first time in her Mercyhurst career that she was held pointless.  She also has added nine goals on her rookie campaign.  Her 25 helpers leads the PSAC and leaves her ninth in the country, while the 2.78 assists per game is good for 11^th nationally as well as tops in the conference. 

Between the Pipes
Kaitlyn Lippert posted her fifth double-digit save game of the 2021 season on Saturday afternoon recording 11 stops against the Rock in the win.  In 480:00 minutes played this year she has a 9.90 goals against average with .518 save percentage on 85 stops.  The last time out against Seton Hill she recorded a dozen stops.  Raelyn Tiberio picked up the other victory in cage making eight saves for the Lakers in the 18-7 win over D'Youville on March 14th. 

Not Letting Things Come Easy
The Lakers held the Rock to 15-19 on clears, while the Green and Blue went a respectable 15-18.  On the season, Mercyhurst is 146-172 for an .849 percentage with their opponents going 132-182 (.725).   
Draw Controls by Committee
Mercyhurst was outdone on the circle by the Rock 14-12 on Saturday.  Ruscio led the team with four wins, followed by Meegan grabbing three.  The duo of Cocina and Comerate each won a pair, while Mackenzie Murphy picked up one. 

Stat Pack
As a team they have recorded 286 shots with 221 of them going on goal for a .773 shots on goal percentage.  They have scooped up 169 ground balls and forced 89 of their opponents 156 turnovers. 
 
NCAA Ranks (as of 4/14)
Lippert ranks inside the Top-20 in total saves (16^th – 85), ground balls per game (13^th – 3.75), saves per game (16^th – 10.62) and save percentage (15^th - .518).

In The Nest (8-0, 7-0 PSAC West)
The Griffins enter Saturday's contest still flying high as they are still undefeated and coming off an impressive wins over IUP (18-9) and Slippery Rock (14-3).  Mercyhurst will have to find a way to contain the dynamic sisterly duo of Kristi and Kate Kada as they have combined this season for 49 goals, 43 ground balls, 64 draw controls and nine assists.  Seton Hill also has five other players with 10-plus goals as Jaclyn Frank (18), Taylor Fox-Trudel (14), Elizabeth Tamasitis (12), Alaina TeSelle (12) and Alyssa Ference (10) all eclipse that mark.  Makayla Kintner (18), Colleen Roy (17) and Tamasitis (12) will lead the Red and Black in pursuit of balls on the turf.  In cage it will be a battle of the top two keepers in the West as Kamille Ward patrols the crease for the Griffins with her 7.86 goals against average and .518 save percentage thanks to 59 stops on the season.  Courtney Grove is in her 12^th campaign at the head of the Griffins nest.       
 
Postseason Push
The Lakers right now sit in second-place with a conference mark of 5-2, while IUP is right behind them at 3-3 and already holds a win over the Green and Blue.  Mercyhurst and IUP will meet at Saxon Stadium on the 28^th of April for what in all likelihood will determine who host the first round matchup in the PSAC Tournament.
 
The PSAC Tournament will consist of the top three teams in each division with the top seed getting a bye, while the No. 2 and No. 3 seeds in each division will play each other on the first day.     

On Deck
The Lakers will stay on the road for more PSAC West action as next Saturday they travel to Lock Haven University for a 2pm opening draw against the Bald Eagles.