Erie, Pa.—The Mercyhurst Field Hockey team plays their home opener on Sunday as they host Franklin Pierce on Military Appreciation Day at Saxon Stadium.

1. Unfamiliar Foes

The Lakers and Franklin Pierce have only met once in program history and the meeting was last season. The Ravens took the win by a score of 5-1 as Jenna Cavalieri scored the lone goal for the Lakers a season ago. Kayla Desormeau came into the game and played 45 minutes and made five saves.

2. Let's Recap

Mercyhurst opened their season last weekend as they face Belmont Abbey on Saturday and Limestone on Monday. Despite falling in both games the Lakers allowed a combined three goals in the opening games. Through two games the Lakers have a .600 shot on goal percentage while their opponents are at .577.

3. Keeping the Ball Out

It is the first time since 2011 that Mercyhurst allowed three or less goals in the first weekend of the season. Desormeau has played every minute for the Lakers as she has made 11 saves while having a .786 save percentage which is third in the PSAC. Her 11 saves is also third in the PSAC.

4. Home Sweet Home

The Lakers return to Saxon Stadium for the first time this season and will also host IUP on Wednesday as they start a short homestand. Last season in their first two home games of the season the Lakers fell in a pair of one goal games which also included an overtime loss to Queens.

5. Scouting Franklin Pierce

The Falcons made the trip to Western Pennsylvania after opening their season with a 7-0 loss to Converse on Sept. 2. Marissa Butler enters her third season with the Falcons, in her first two seasons she went 6-16. 14 players return for FPU this season including both Addy Araneo and Mackenzie Potvin who have both seen time in net this season.