Erie, Pa. - Mercyhurst Women's Lacrosse got the new season started the way they wanted as they were able to grab the win over Walsh. The Cavaliers made things interesting down the stretch, but Mercyhurst was able to hold onto the win by a final of 13-12.
How it Happened
First Quarter
Walsh was able to fire the opening salvo, but Mercyhurst responded half a minute later to make it 1-1 as Megan Millard scored the first Laker goal of the 2023 season. From there, the Lakers went on a 4-2 run to close out the opening canto as they took a 5-3 lead into the second quarter. Maggie Newton got the first of her three goals on the day to end the first frame as she made it a three-goal lead with just over two minutes to go in the quarter.
Second Quarter
Mercyhurst's offense hit their stride in the early portion of the second as they scored the first four goals of the frame. They were able to take their largest lead of the game with a 9-3 advantage after Victoria Gottorff scored her second goal of the game with less than five minutes gone from the stanza.
Walsh managed to get on the board and make it a 9-5 game at the break as they scored a pair of goals in the later portion of the second.
Third Quarter
Gabby McGinn and Maggie Newton both came out of the halftime break and were able to add to their already impressive days as they both secured the hat tricks. McGinn was the first to get her third goal just five minutes into the half.
Newton joined her with three after a pair of free position goals with the second making it a 12-9 game.
Walsh continued to stick around with Mercyhurst as they drew within two at the end of the third as the score stood at 12-10 going into the final 15 minutes.
Fourth Quarter
Whitley Easton scored the opening goal of the final period for Mercyhurst to make it a 13-10 game and it proved to be a big one as Walsh scored twice to pull within one. They threatened to tie things up with just a couple of minutes left on the clock, but the Laker's defense held strong and recorded win number one of the new season.
Highlights
Maggie Newton and Gabby McGinn both had a trio of goals in this one to lead the way for the Lakers. Newton was much more than just a scorer as she also registered three assists in the game for a total six points to lead the team. Whitley Easton and Victoria Gottorff both had two goals apiece to help Mercyhurst's offense. Easton and Amanda Bailey each had four ground balls in the game while Newton led the team with five.
Next Game
Mercyhurst stays at home for their next matchup with them scheduled to play D'Youville inside their friendly confines next. The two teams play next Saturday, March 4th, with a start time of 2:00 p.m.
