Aug. 9, 2007

Erie, Pa. - The 2007 lacrosse season was another excellent building year for the Lakers. With a youthful roster that featured nine freshmen and 12 sophomores, the Lakers went 7-5 facing a schedule as difficult as any in Division II. After a slow start, the team developed into a lethal scoring unit, breaking the program's single game scoring record with a 23-10 victory over Presbyterian (S.C.). The team finished 19th in the country in scoring offense, averaging 12.46 goals per game. All five of the team's losses came against teams ranked in the top 10.

The season did have some ups and downs. The Lakers began the season 1-2 on a swing through the Carolinas. A loss in the season opener to No. 9 Queens (9-4) was followed by a disappointing 18-7 loss to No.7 Pfeiffer. The Lakers quickly bounced back with a 12-7 win over Belmont-Abbey, who upset Queens in their first meeting.

Following the southern trip, the Laker squad had a week to work out the kinks before defeating Millersville on the road in a double overtime thriller 13-12. The following week the Lakers traveled to Bloomsburg for a tough comeback win to defeat the Huskies 10-8. At home the Lakers opened up with No. 4 Adelphi and, despite out-shooting the Panthers 45-31, the team came up on the short end of a 14-9 score.

Two days later the Lakers took on No. 1 C.W. Post, the team that would go on to win the National Championship. The Lakers shocked the Pioneers with a pair of goals in the first 52 seconds and still held a 5-5 tie more than 20 minutes into the opening period, but C.W. Post gained composure, took a 10-7 lead into halftime, and went on for a 20-9 win.

The following week the Lakers were on the road again to defeat Shippensburg 14-9. Upon returning home the Lakers found the offense they had been looking for all season, defeating Seton Hill 18-6. The Lakers then traveled to Cleveland, Ohio to take on the Falcons from Notre Dame College (Ohio). The team continued to score at will, drubbing the Falcons 22-7.

Mercyhurst returned home to take on crosstown rival No. 6 Gannon. Despite leading the Golden Knights with five minutes left the Lakers came up short when Gannon netted the game winner with less then 10 seconds left on the clock for a 7-6 victory. The heart-broken Lakers bounced back with a vengeance the next day, defeating Presbyterian 23-10.

Individually, four seniors completed successful careers in 2007. Team captain Darci Doran (two goals and one assist for three points) played 57 games as a defender during her four seasons. Assistant captain Lauren Smith (27 goals, seven assists, 34 points) played two seasons for the Lakers after transferring from Bridgewater College (Va.). Defender Jessica Hale (four goals, one assists, five points) rebounded from an ankle injury that forced her to miss her sophomore season by playing in 41 games. Attacker Keelin Hollenbeck (one goal, three assists, four points) played in 22 games over four years.

Sophomore Breanna Haggerty (95 goals, 49 assists, 144 points) finished another stellar campaign, leading the team in virtually every offensive category for the season year in a row. With 42 goals, 16 assists and 58 points, she earned Inside Lacrosse Second Team All-American honors and IWLCA Second Team All-Region honors.

Smith, junior assistant captain Courtney Olevnik, sophomores Jessie Horeth and Kristen Toomey, and freshman Kate Smith each tallied over 22 points on the season, while sophomore Angela Schumerth and freshman Meghan Dwyer each had at least 11 points to finish out the season.

Mercyhurst was named a 2007 National Academic Squad by the IWLCA for the third consecutive season, posting a 3.065 cumulative team grade point average for the year. In addition to that honor, Hollenbeck and Olevnik were named to the IWLCA 2007 National Honor Roll.

After the season, Mercyhurst presented its annual awards. The Players Choice Award was given to Doran. Haggerty was named the Offensive Most Valuable Player Award. Toomey earned the Midfield Most Valuable Player Award for the second consecutive season. Beth O'Neil received the Most Valuable Player honor on defense while junior transfer Holly Brown was named the team's Rookie of the Year. Dwyer was presented with the Most Improved Player Award for the 2007 season.