LOCK HAVEN, Pa. - The Lock Haven University lacrosse team (14-4) opened the 2016 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Tournament in dominating fashion and the Bald Eagles soared past visiting Seton Hill (8-10), 16-9 in First Round action.
 
The Bald Eagles, ranked No. 14 nationally, were playing as the PSAC's No. 4 seed, while Seton Hill entered today's game as the conference's No. 5 seed.
 
Lock Haven started the day in unfamiliar territory, having to host a First Round game, but by the end of the game, the Bald Eagles had punched their ticket back to a place they know all too well and that's a spot in the PSAC Semifinals. It marks the 13^th time straight time LHU has advanced to the PSAC Semifinals.
 
The Bald Eagles will take on top-seed and host Mercyhurst next Friday, May 6.
 
Leading the way today for Lock Haven in the big-win over Seton Hill was Rachel Engler (Perkiomenville, Pa./Rutgers) and Jenna Dingler (Turnersville, N.J./Washington Township), who each scored four goals.
 
Shannon Bissnette (Pittsford, N.Y./Pittsford Sutherland) netted a hat trick and added one assist.
 
Ashley Gochenaur (Lancaster, Pa./Lampeter-Strasburg) turned in an outstanding game in midfield for the Bald Eagles and she finished with three goals.
 
Hope Thomas (Carmel, Ind./Carmel) scored twice and Hayley Kilian (Ridley Park, Pa./Ridley Park) led LHU with three assists.
 
One of the game's biggest stories was once again Alex O'Herrick (Barto, Pa./Boyertown) and her dominance on the draw. She recorded 11 of Lock Haven's 16 draw controls in the game.
 
Defensively Kelly Close (Kennett Square, Pa./Unionville) led the charge and goalkeeper Hannah Houde (Jackson, N.J./Slippery Rock Univ.) was fantastic. Houde stopped seven Seton Hill shots, including five in the second-half, which shut down the Griffins charge.
 
The Bald Eagles led 8-2 at halftime and eight more goals in the second half paved the way to the win.
 
Lock Haven also scored on six of eight free-position attempts, which proved to be hugely beneficial on the way to the victory.
 
Today's game marked Lock Haven's 13^th straight appearance in the PSAC Tournament. The Bald Eagles have won two straight PSAC Tournament titles and have played in the title game in each of the last three seasons.
 
Next Friday's game time at Mercyhurst is TBA. Check www.GoLHU.com in the coming days for updates and more details regarding next week's PSAC Championship weekend in Erie, Pennsylvania.