ERIE, Pa. – The Mercyhurst women's soccer team opened their season Thursday, finishing with a 1-1 draw against Northern Kentucky. The game-tying goal came from a penalty scored by Anamari Bosnjak in the 23^rd minute.
 
The first 10 minutes of action promised an equal match up between the Lakers and the Norse, with the Lakers being the first to land a shot on net. As Mercyhurst seemed to settle in, the Norse challenged the Laker backline and found their first and only goal of the match. The tally came off the foot of Megan Molner, assisted by Riley Evans in the 11th minute.

The early setback did not stop the Lakers, as they continued to put pressure on the Norse in the box. The pressure soon paid off, as just 10 minutes later junior Anamari Bosnjak found herself on the penalty spot following a handball on the Norse. The shot came with ease as Bosnjak drained it in the back of the net. The rest of the half remained stagnant for both teams, NKU tallying five shots on goal and Mercyhurst tallying three.
 
The second half brought continued action and tests of defensive skill for both sides. The Norse out shot the Lakers (6-1) in the second half but Laker goalkeeper Adri Lika stood tall. Lika made nine saves on the day with six of them coming in the second half.

The Lakers one shot on goal in the second stanza came from Fiona Fraser in the 84^th minute. Mercyhurst continued to hold on throughout the half with Lika and her defense combining to make a critical defensive save in the final seconds of the game.
 
Throughout the match, Caterina Cappiello found pace, leading the Lakers with two shots on goal. Shots also came from Maddi Cowburn, Fraser, and Helen Bossart.

The Norse led the corner kick battle 6-4. 
 
The Lakers travel to Baltimore to take on UMBC in their first road contest of the year Sunday Aug. 17.