LOWELL, Mass. — Mercyhurst fell to Merrimack 2-1 on Friday in a game the Lakers battled back into behind a strong third-quarter push, producing seven of their nine shots in the period and cutting a two-goal deficit to one.
Merrimack put together the first sustained attacking sequence of the first quarter, earning a penalty corner at 3:16. Merrimack put three shots on frame during the stretch, but the Lakers held firm, blocking attempts at 3:25 and 5:31 while Victoria Campana came up with a save at 3:54. The Lakers defense kept Merrimack off the board the rest of the way, and the teams went into the second tied 0-0.
Merrimack broke through at 17:26 to take a 1-0 lead, then added a second goal off a penalty corner at 18:57 to go up 2-0. The Lakers didn't back down, getting a good look from Hailey Hatfield that was blocked at 20:53 before the quarter ended with Merrimack ahead 2-0.
The Lakers came out with intent in the third, generating the period's first shot on goal when Morgan Lippa tested Merrimack's keeper at 35:15, and Campana matched her with a save 41 seconds later. Mercyhurst kept the pressure on with a blocked Hailey Hatfield shot and an Ella Bressi attempt that drew a save, then earned back-to-back penalty corners in the 40th minute. The push paid off when Finja Wunner converted off a Rachel Kosowski assist at 40:31, pulling the Lakers within 2-1. Mercyhurst added two more late corners in the quarter, with Anna Muscat forcing another save and Alyssa Laubach just missing wide as the Lakers pressed for the equalizer.
Merrimack had the first chances of the fourth quarter, including a shot off the post and a blocked attempt, and picked up a yellow card along the way. But the Lakers continued to compete to the final whistle — Ella Bressi put a shot on goal at 58:29, and Campana turned aside a late Merrimack chance at 59:38 to keep it a one-goal game. The fourth quarter finished scoreless, and Merrimack held on for the 2-1 win.
Finja Wunner led the way for the Lakers with a goal and a shot on goal, with Rachel Kosowski picking up the assist. Hailey Hatfield paced Mercyhurst with a team-high three shots, while Ella Bressi added two shots, both on goal. In net, Victoria Campana turned in a full 60 minutes with three saves.
Up next, the Lakers will stay in Massachussets as they take on Stonehill on September 27th at 1pm.
