ERIE, Pa. – The Mercyhurst women's lacrosse team goes for the season sweep and their 16^th win in 17 tries against Slippery Rock University when the Rock invade Saxon Stadium on Saturday afternoon for a pivotal Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference West Division contest. 

Game Information
Opponents – The Rock of Slippery Rock University
Date - Saturday, April 10
Time - 3:30 pm
Location – Erie, Pa. (Saxon Stadium)
Series History - Hurst leads, 15-1 / Last Lakers Win: 16-12 on 3/17/21 (away) / Last SRU Win: 11-9 on 4/22/15 (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 16, Slippery Rock 12 (3/17/21)
Mercyhurst trailed 1-0, before Julia Rescott (2), Molly Meegan and Payton Cook netted four straight to claim a 4-1 edge.  The stormed back with three in a row over a three-minute stretch to knot the score.  Each side buried the rock three more times in the opening half to be locked at 7-7 through 30 minutes.  The Lakers began the second period strong picking up five goals in first 10 minutes thanks to Paige Cocina, Rescott and Meegan to lead 12-8.  After a tally by the Rock cut it to 12-9, Gina Perna and Rescott notched another marker to extend the advantage to 14-9.  Rescott added two more to help the Green and Blue hold on for the 16-12 win.

Scouting the Lakers (5-2, 3-2 PSAC West)
The Dynamic Duo
The duo of Julia Rescott and Julia Ruscio were at it again on Tuesday against Gannon combining for six goals along with one helper.  On the season so far they have accounted for 42 goals and five assists totaling 47 points.  Rescott leads the way with 24 goals, while Ruscio paces the side in the circle racking up 22 draw controls. 
 
Balanced Offense
Mercyhurst was back to scoring by committee on Tuesday with ten players hitting the back of the net.  Rescott led the way with four, while Cocina notched a hat trick.  Rachel Hirst along with Ruscio buried two apiece.  Lauren Cain, Marissa Comerate, Payton Cook, Sarah Kaska, Sara Simms and Torie Sullivan all had one each.

Givin' McGinn
Gabby McGinn continued to be a key part of the Lakers attack by sharing the rock as she picked up three assists bringing the season total to 25.  She also has added nine goals on her rookie campaign.  Her 25 helpers leads the PSAC and leaves her eighth in the country, while the 3.12 assists per game is good for the same rankings. 

Between the Pipes
Kaitlyn Lippert posted her fourth double-digit save game of the 2021 season on Tuesday afternoon recording 13 stops against the Golden Knights in the win.  In 420:00 minutes played this year she has a 9.71 goals against average with a .521 save percentage on 74 stops.  The last time out against Slippery Rock, Lippert turned away a season-high 16 shots.  Raelyn Tiberio picked up the other win in cage this season making eight stops for the Lakers in an 18-7 win over D'Youville on March 14th.

Not Letting Things Come Easy
The Lakers made things rough on their rivals Tuesday in their quest to gain the attacking zone limiting them to 11-18 on clears, while the Green and Blue were a solid 15-17.  On the season, Mercyhurst is 131-154 for an .851 percentage with their opponents going 117-163 (.718).     

Draw Controls by Committee
Mercyhurst held a slim 13-12 edge on the circle against Gannon marking the third consecutive game that they won the draw control battle.  Ruscio paced the team with five, while Cocina and Comerate each brought in two.  Grace Gajan, Nina Stephens, Cain and Meegan all claimed one win.

Stat Pack
As a team they have recorded 262 shots with 204 of them going on goal for a .779 shots on goal percentage.  They have scooped up 154 ground balls and forced 80 of their opponents 142 turnovers. 
 
NCAA Ranks (as of 4/1)
Lippert ranks inside the Top-20 in total saves (11^th – 74), ground balls per game (16^th – 3.86), saves per game (18^th – 10.57) and save percentage (16^th - .521).

On The Mountain (4-4, 3-4 PSAC West)
Slippery Rock arrives in Erie at Saxon Stadium having won three of their last four and are coming off a thrilling 11-10 win over the Indiana University of Pennsylvania on Tuesday afternoon.  With the Rock trailing 10-8 with 14-minutes to go Emily Benham scored twice to knot the score, before Charleigh Rondeau notched the GWG with just 13 ticks to play.  Three players have 20 points or more led by 31 from Benham, followed by Jamie DiCarlo (26) and Molly Buettner (22).  That same trio makes up part of the group that has 10-plus goals on the season as Katie Dlugosz and Rondeau join Benham, DiCarlo, and Buettner.  Rondeau will be a handful for the Lakers at the circle as she leads the conference with 53 wins and 6.63 wins per game.  In the first game versus Mercyhurst she won seven times to help her team hold a 17-12 advantage.  Between the pipes will be rookie Gillian O'Rourke who has started all eight games for the Rock posting a 12.13 goals against average and a .481 save percentage.  Head Coach Kelsey Van Alstyne is in her fourth year at Slippery Rock and holds an 0-4 mark against the Lakers.
 
Postseason Push
Mercyhurst currently sits in second-place in the PSAC West behind undefeated Seton Hill University.  Just behind the Lakers is IUP who have already knocked off the Green and Blue once with the return matchup set for April 28^th at Saxon Stadium.  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 continue PSAC West play next Saturday afternoon when they look for revenge against Seton Hill University in what could be a battle for first-place.