GREENSBURG, Pa. – The 25^th-ranked Mercyhurst women's lacrosse team used a four-goal run in the first half to seize a 5-2 lead.  However, the No. 23 Seton Hill University Griffins used a six-goal charge of their to take the lead and ultimately hold off a late Lakers push for a 10-8 win on Saturday afternoon at Dick's Sporting Goods Field in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference West Division action.
 
Mercyhurst goalie Kaitlyn Lippert made two early saves to keep things scoreless, before Paige Cocina tallied her 13^th of the season for the 1-0 edge.  Seton Hill responded with a pair of markers from Jaclyn Frank to claim the 2-1 advantage five minutes in.  Cocina was turned aside twice by Kamille Ward, prior to Julia Ruscio knotting the score.  The Lakers continued their push by recording the next five shots ultimately ending up in Julia Rescott's first of the day off a feed from Gabby McGinn.  The Green and Blue kept things rolling with Molly Meegan finding Payton Cook, followed by Ruscio grabbing her second taking a 5-2 advantage with 8:00 to go.  The Griffins stopped the visitors run with goals from Hannah Thompson and Kristi Kada to pull within 5-4 at the break. 
 
To begin the second period back to back Mercyhurst yellow cards from Cocina and Rachel Hirst resulted in a pair of tallies from Kada to take a 6-5 lead with 25:44 remaining.  After a yellow card was given out to Jessie Bulseco the Lakers looked like they would have a chance to tie things up, but they were held shotless and it was Alyssa Ference who scored extending the margin to 7-5.  Mercyhurst first shot would not come until 19:37 had come off the clock as Rescott was turned aside by Ward.  The Griffins added another player-down marker thanks to Kada making it 8-5.  Meegan ended the six-goal home run with a free-position goal with 15-minutes left.  Elizabeth Tamasitis stretched the lead to 9-6, before Cocina and Sara Simms each scored unassisted to give the Lakers left at 9-8 still with 6:03 remaining.  Victoria Gottorff as well as Meegan were both denied by Ward and Ference added another tally with two minutes left for the final.
 
Team Stat Pack
Shot Attempts - Hurst, 24 / SHU, 28 
Shots on Goal - Hurst, 21 / SHU, 24
Clears - Hurst, 20-23 / SHU, 23-25
Draw Controls - Hurst, 11 / SHU, 9
Ground Balls - Hurst, 13 / SHU, 15
Turnovers - Hurst, 16 / SHU, 13
Free-Position Attempts - Hurst, 1-3 / SHU, 1-5

Mercyhurst Individual Stat Leaders
Points – Cocina, Meegan and Ruscio (2)
Goals – Cocina and Ruscio (2)
Assists – McGinn and Meegan (1)
Draw Controls – Ruscio (8), Cocina (2), Comerate (1)
Saves - Lippert (14)

Seton Hill Individual Stat Leaders
Goals – Kada (4) 
Draw Controls – Kada and Kintner (3)
Saves – Ward (13)

Postseason Outlook
With the loss the Lakers are now 5-3 in the PSAC West and sit in the number two seed.  The third seed at the moment is IUP at 3-3, the Hawks also have a win over the Green and Blue with the rematch coming in the season finale at Saxon on April 28th.  That game could determine who hosts the 2v3 game most likely between the Lakers and Hawks for the right to play the Griffins in Greensburg. 

On Deck 
The Lakers were supposed to play Edinboro on Tuesday afternoon, but with the Fighting Scots opting out of the season their next matchup will take place on Saturday at Lock Haven.  Opening draw is set for 2pm.