April 29, 2007

Box Score

Erie, Pa. - Following a heart-breaking loss to rival Gannon, the Mercyhurst women's lacrosse team had to step back on the field less than a day later to conclude its season against Presbyterian. Without playoff hopes, it would have been easy for the Lakers to put together a lackluster effort. But Mercyhurst posted season-highs in shots and goals and broke the school record of number of goals in a game which was 22, rolling past the Blue Hose 23-10 Sunday.

The Lakers put up 47 shots, 25 in the first half, and scored the first seven goals of the game to bury Presbyterian. Breanna Haggerty scored seven goals and added an assist before being pulled midway through the second half.

Mercyhurst put the throttle down from the opening draw as Haggerty scored on an assist from Jessie Horeth 31 seconds into the game. Courtney Olevnik added a goal four minutes into play and Haggerty followed with her second goal 61 seconds later.

Kate Smith and Meghan Dwyer would each score a goal and Haggerty would add two more as Mercyhurst went on top 7-0 less than 13 minutes into play. Presbyterian finally got onto the scoreboard with 17:05 to play in the first half but Mercyhurst scored three of the next four goals to build a 10-2 lead. When the dust settled, the Lakers led 12-5 at the half.

Mercyhurst continued to dominate the second half of play, outscoring Presbyterian 11-5 in the final 30 minutes. The Lakers won 24-of-35 draw controls to control possession throughout.

Along with Haggerty's eight-point effort, Olevnik had three goals and three assists. Kristen Toomey finished with two goals and four assists, while Kate Smith and Angela Schumerth each added two goals.

Maeve McGoff started in goal for the Lakers and made eight saves in 49:09, allowing seven goals. Jessica Raniero relieved McGoff and made two saves, allowing three goals, over the final 10:51.

Presbyterian completes its season with a record of 6-9, while Mercyhurst ends at 7-5, the team's second consecutive season above .500.