ERIE, Pa. – The Mercyhurst women's lacrosse team will look to rebound from their 11-6 setback on Saturday at the Indiana University of Pennsylvania when they go for the season sweep of crosstown rival Gannon University tomorrow afternoon at Saxon Stadium in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference West Division play.

Game Information
Opponents – Gannon University Golden Knights
Date - Tuesday, April 6
Time - 4:00 pm
Location – Erie, Pa. (Saxon Stadium)
Series History - Gannon leads, 15-12 / Last Lakers Win: 17-3 on 3/11/21 (away) / Last GU Win: 11-8 on 4/24/13 (home).
Fan Statement – Limited home fans will be allowed inside Saxon Stadium.  See fan policy here.
Live Stats
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First Meeting – LAKERS 17, Gannon 3 (3/11/21)
Mercyhurst fell behind early 1-0, before reeling off eight in a row to end the first half aided by a hat trick from Paige Cocina.  Sarah Kaska would be the second Laker to net three goals on the afternoon by notching the first two of the second period for the Green and Blue.  Julia Ruscio completed the hat trick trio with two more in the second half, while Lauren Cain, Payton Cook, Victoria Gottorff, Meghan Nasman, Julia Rescott and Torie Sullivan also hit tickled the twine.   

Scouting the Lakers (5-2, 3-2 PSAC West)
The Dynamic Duo
The pair of Julia Rescott and Julia Ruscio have accounted for a combined 40 points on 36 goals through six games so far this season.  Rescott paces the team with 20, while Ruscio has buried the rock 16 times.  They have also added four helpers.   
 
Balanced Offense
Despite being held to a season-low six goals on Saturday four different players tallied for the Lakers led by Ruscio who picked up a hat trick, followed by solo markers for Sarah Kaska, Gabby McGinn and Molly Meegan.  Paige Cocina and Ruscio each handed out an assist.

Givin' McGinn
For the first time in her college career so far McGinn was limited to just one point recording a single goal, while not handing out a single assist.  She ranks third in the nation in assists per game at 3.67, while sitting seventh in total assists with 22. 

Between the Pipes
Kaitlyn Lippert did a solid job between the pipes on Saturday even in defeat making nine stops allowing 11 goals taking her record to 4-2 on the season.  She has posted a 10.33 goals against average giving up 62 goals, while making 61 stops giving her a .496 save percentage.  Lippert has had three games so far with double-digit stops, including a season-high 16 on March 17th in the win over Slippery Rock on the road.  Raelyn Tiberio picked up the other win in cage this season making eight stops for Hurst in the 18-7 victory over D'Youville on March 14th.

Not Letting Things Come Easy
The Lakers did a good job in the clear game in the loss to the Crimson Hawks going 14-17, while allowing IUP to go 19-22.  On the season, Mercyhurst is 116-137 for an .847 percentage with their opponents going 106-145 (.731).     

Draw Controls by Committee
Mercyhurst for the second game in a row held the edge at the draw circle claiming 13 of 19 controls on the afternoon.  Ruscio won a game-high seven, followed by three from Marissa Comerate.  Stephanie VanRiper, Cocina and Meegan each tallied one win.         

Stat Pack
As a team they have recorded 226 shots with 177 of them going on goal for a .783 shots on goal percentage.  They have scooped up 130 ground balls and forced 70 of their opponents 124 turnovers. 
 
NCAA Ranks (as of 4/1)
Lippert ranks inside the Top-20 in ground balls per game (14^th – 4.00), saves per game (17^th – 10.40) and save percentage (17^th - .496). McGinn ranks 25^th in points per game at 5.00.

At The Castle (0-5, 0-4 PSAC West)
Gannon makes the short trek up State Street looking for their first win of the 2021 campaign as they currently sit at 0-5.  They are coming off an 18-6 loss to No. 24 and PSAC West leader Seton Hill on Saturday afternoon in Greensburg.  The Golden Knights only have one player with double-digit points so far this year as McKenna Woodworth has a team-high 12 points thanks to ten goals along with two helpers.  Rachel Tufts and Macy Hepditch have combined for seven markers and two assists.  At the circle Tufts has a team-high 15 draw control wins, while Alli Jacobs and Hepditch both have claimed eight.  Erin Renwick has made four starts between the sticks posting a 19.75 goals against average allowing 60 goals on 80 shots faced and posting a .388 save percentage.  She allowed 16 goals and recorded 13 stops in the season opener versus Mercyhurst on March 11^th.  Jennifer Pawlowski is in her second year as queen of the Gannon castle.

On Deck
The Lakers stay home to take on Slippery Rock University in PSAC West action at 3:30pm on Saturday afternoon.