Erie, Pa. - Mercyhurst Field Hockey hits the field for the first time in 2023 as they take on Roberts Wesleyan to begin the year. The Lakers travel to face Roberts Wesleyan on Friday, September 1st, at 4:00 p.m. before returning home to face the Redhawks in game two of the season on September 3rd at 1:00 p.m.
A New Captain
Head Coach Mackenzie Hadfield begins her first year for Mercyhurst in 2023, hoping to build a culture as she mans the helm. Hadfield, a graduate of Millersville, brings an injection of youth to the sidelines for the Lakers as she enters the campaign as the youngest coach in DII. Hadfield and company look to use their youth as an advantage in the early and set the tone for a solid season.
Top Returners
Mercyhurst brings back the majority of their talent from a season ago with 14 players from the 2022 iteration of the club making a comeback this time around. Kayla Desormeau's returns proves to be a big boost as the goalkeeper enters her junior season. Desormeau was one of the nation's top goalies a season ago with 204 saves to her line for the most in the country while allowing only 2.62 goals per game. He presence in the cage proved big last year for the Lakers and it looks like it will once again.
A New Challenger
Roberts Wesleyan participates in women's field hockey for the first time in program history in 2023 as the sport was added late in 2022. Announced in November 2022, the Redhawks added four new sports to their campus with field hockey being one of the handful. As Roberts Wesleyan expands their horizons, the Lakers key in on a new foe.
Turning the Tide
The Lakers hope to get off on the right foot in 2023; something they have not been able to do in some time. Mercyhurst has suffered losses in each of their last four season openers with their last win coming in 2018 when they took down Converse by a score of 3-1. Coach Hadfield and her crew hope for more success this time around and grab some momentum in the early part of the season.
Next Game
After a double dip with the Redhawks, Mercyhurst sees a similar foe in IUP. The Lakers go to Indiana, Pa. for that matchup on Wednesday September 6th, at 7:00 p.m. before rounding out the second week of action at home as they play host to Converse on the 9th at 11:00 a.m.
