Erie, Pa. - After winning their first two games of the season, Mercyhurst Field Hockey hopes to keep the ball rolling in their pair of matchups on the week. The Lakers head to Indiana, Pa. to face the Crimson Hawks on Wednesday, September 6th, at 7:00 p.m. before coming back home on Saturday to see Converse at 11:00 a.m.
Looking Back
Mercyhurst had one of their better starts in recent history, winning their first two games of the season for the first time since 2011. They defeated Roberts Wesleyan twice with a 12-0 win in game one while a 9-0 win was the result of game two. The Laker's dozen goals scored in their season opener was the most ever in a game and their 21 in two games is the most in program history as well, giving the team some momentum here in the early part of the season.
History Lesson
Mercyhurst has played IUP 21 times before this meeting with the Crimson Hawks getting the better of the matchup with a 12-9 record. The Lakers have been in a rut of late as they have failed to win a game in the series since 2019, hoping to turn the tide on Wednesday. Against Converse, Mercyhurst is 2-0 all time with their last win being a 3-1 final in 2018.
Laker Leaders
Jenna Cavalieri has been the main offensive threat for Mercyhurst to this point in the season with a team-high five goals on the year to go along with three assists, also a team best, to help her be named a PPG Athlete of the Week. She is followed by Ellie Schau who has four goals and Lexi Odrobina and Amy Van Rooyen who have two apiece while five players have one goal.
Shutdown
Mercyhurst has not only been dominant on offense, but on defense as well. Last season, Kayla Desormeau played the part of stalwart in the cage, saving a nation-leading 204 shots. This season the team has yet to face even one in their first two games. The Lakers have been not just dictated the flow of the game in their own territory, but have repeatedly won balls in the middle of the field and near their own cage, making them a complete unit here to begin the season.
Next Game
After seeing IUP and Converse, Mercyhurst is set for another pair of games in the second full week of September. The Lakers go to Frostburg, Md. to see the Bobcats on Tuesday, September 12th, before returning home on the 16th for a matchup with Bloomsburg at 12:00 p.m. inside Saxon Stadium.
