Erie, Pa.—The Mercyhurst Field Hockey team earned their first win of the season on Sunday as they defeated Franklin Pierce. The Lakers are back in action On Wednesday, as they host IUP, Mercyhurst then goes to Frostburg State on Saturday.
1. Frenemies
The Lakers and IUP have played 30 times dating back to 1998. IUP has won the last three games but Mercyhurst won the two prior to that. In a 2-0 loss last season Kayla Desormeau made 23 saves.
Mercyhurst and Frostburg State have only played once. In 2019 the Lakers hosted the Bobcats but fell by a score of 2-1.
2. First One is Out of the Way
Mercyhurst picked up their first win of the season on Sunday. The Lakers opened the scoring just over five minutes into the second quarter as Elizabeth Jackson scored off a corner. Jackson put the ball in play to Jenna Cavalieri, Cavalieri fed it back to Jackson and she deflected it past the keeper. Early in the fourth quarter Franklin Pierce answered back to tie the game. Just over three minutes later Kayla Gill forced a turnover and was one on one with the goalie and scored to put the Lakers up 2-1. Desormeau made seven saves in her first win of the season.
3. Brick Wall
Desormeau has been one of the best goalies in the country over the last two seasons. This season she is 10th in the country in saves among goalies with more then a game played. The Lakers opened the season giving up just three goals in their first two games which was the lowest since 2011. In her sophomore season she has made 17 saves this season and has an .810 save percentage.
4. Using The Corner
The Lakers have only scored twice this season but they are drawing many corners in the scoring areas. Mercyhurst drew 10 corners in their first two games and then against FPU they drew 10 and took advantage. Against FPU they also had a season high nine shots on goal.
5. Let's Go Scouting
IUP is the eighth ranked team in the country in the latest poll that was release on Tuesday. The Crimson Hawks have won both of their games to open the season including a 3-0 win over Wingate and a 4-3 win over Mansfield. Jessica Davidson scored twice in their win over Mansfield while Amanda Zaner made three saves.
Frostburg is 3-2 this season and most recently face Kutztown and fell 4-1. They have wins over Wingate, Maryville, and Lincoln Memorial. Emilie Bonhivert leads the Bobcats with four goals while nine Bobcats have scored this season. Madison Manalansan has played most of the minutes in the cage and has a 1.41 goals against average.
