Erie, PA - Coming off a successful opening weekend in Nashville, Tennessee, the Mercyhurst Stunt team welcomed three teams to Erie, PA to participate in the program's first ever opening weekend. Despite falling to Trevecca Nazarene University and Hiram College on Saturday, the Lakers responded with a big win over Ursuline College on Sunday. Mercyhurst is now 4-3 through the first two weekends of their season.
How it Happened:
Game One: Trevecca
Mercyhurst fell behind early, as Trevecca grabbed a point in each of the first four rounds of partner stunts to take an early four-point lead heading into the second quarter. Despite dropping the first round in quarter number two, the Lakers found the scoreboard in round 2 to make the score 5-1. The Lakers then found success in round three of pyramids and tosses, securing another point to make the score 5-2. Trevecca rebounded in the ladder half of the 2nd quarter to take a 6-2 lead heading into halftime.
The Trojans found their footing in the third quarter, securing points in each of the four rounds. Mercyhurst was also able to get on the board in round three, making the overall score 10-3 heading into the team routines. As the fourth quarter got underway, so did the Trojans, as they secured first round points for partner stunts, pyramids/tosses, and jumps and tumbling to make the score 13-3. It was more of the same in round two, as the Trojans won each category to make the score 16-3. The Trojans remained in control through the final two rounds of the game, earning 6 total points to make the final score 22-3.
Game Two: Hiram
After winning the coin toss to start the game, the Mercyhurst Lakers took possession, but fell behind early, trailing the Terriers 2-0 at the end of the first quarter. As the two teams entered pyramids and tosses, the Lakers got on the board, earning their first point of the game as the first round concluded. Hiram took a point back in the second round to take a 3-1 lead before earning a late quarter point to extend the lead to 4-1 heading into halftime.
Jumps and tumbling allowed both teams to record a point after round one, making the score 5-2. The remainder of quarter three favored Hiram, as the lead remained in their favor heading into the team routines, 8-4. Mercyhurst began climbing back in the last quarter, earning 2 points within the first round. The second round resulted in each team being awarded a point as the score remained 10-7 in favor of Hiram. The remaining rounds saw the two teams trade points back and forth as Hiram escaped with a 13-10 victory.
Game Three: Ursuline
Mercyhurst got off to a hot start on Sunday, earning a point after the first round of partner stunts to gain a 1-0 advantage. The Lakers tallied another point after round two, doubling their first quarter advantage. The momentum carried over into the third and fourth rounds of the quarter as the Lakers swept the opening frame building a 4-0 lead. Mercyhurst continued to dominate the day as they entered pyramids and tosses. The Lakers kept Ursuline scoreless through the opening two rounds of the second quarter to take a commanding 6-0 lead. The flood gates then seemed to open as the Lakers posted another point to end the half, 7-0.
Having deferred starting the game, Ursuline had the advantage to start the third quarter. It didn't bode well for the visitors however, as the Lakers took the first round of jumps and tumbling. Ursuline finally got on the scoreboard in the second round to make the score 8-1 in favor of the home team. Mercyhurst looked like a well-oiled machine to end the quarter as they enjoyed a commanding 10-1 lead.
The Lakers used the fourth quarter to put a stamp on what was a dominant day on the mat. In every round of the fourth quarter, the Lakers were awarded points, which resulted in a final score of 21-4.
Up Next:
The Lakers will remain home and play host to Ashland University on Saturday, February 24th. The two-game set will begin at 1:00 PM.
