LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – The Lock Haven University lacrosse team (2-3, 1-0 PSAC West) opened Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Western Division play this afternoon at home on Charlotte Smith Field, and the Bald Eagles recorded a thrilling, 13-12, upset-win over No. 22 Mercyhurst University (2-2, 0-1 PSAC West).
Leading the way for the Bald Eagles was
Mackenna Brown (Rochester, N.Y./Aquinas Institute) who scored a team-high four goals.
With the win, The Haven improved to a perfect 2-0 at home this season. It marked also Lock Haven's first win over a nationally-ranked top-25 team since the 2018 season.
In all, seven players scored for LHU including
Josey Shaffer (Westminster, Md./Manchester Valley),
Abby Katrinak (Strongsville, Ohio/ Strongsville), and
Gabby Gunnip (Jordan, N.Y./Jordan Elbridge) as each netted a pair of goals for The Haven. Katrinak added one assist and
Gracie Chaires (Darlington, Md./Harford Technical),
Abby Hampson (Adamstown, Md./Tuscarora), and
Emma Schiemer (Prince Frederick, Md./Huntingtown) each scored once.
The Bald Eagles defensive unit also stood strong, and it was goalkeeper
Dana Mirigliano (Springfield, Pa./Springfield) who led the charge. She finished with nine saves including a crucial point-blank stop in the final minutes.
The two teams were tied 3-3 after the opening quarter, and visiting Mercyhurst led 7-6 at halftime.
A second-half surge and four-goal third quarter pushed the Bald Eagles to a 10-8 lead.
Shaffer scored early in the fourth quarter to make it 11-8. It was Lock Haven's fifth straight goal and the hosts looked to be in full control. The Lakers responded however, and three straight Mercyhurst goals tied the contest at 11-11 with 6:29 to play.
With 5:51 left in the game, Shaffer scored again as her two fourth-quarter strikes proved monumental. Her second of the game put Lock Haven up 12-11. Katrinak's second goal of the contest came with 5:18 left and put the Bald Eagles up 13-11. The Katrinak goal proved to be the ultimate difference-maker in the outcome.
With just 51 seconds left, Mercyhurst converted on a free-position attempt and made it a one-goal game at 13-12. Shaffer's late-game heroics continued as she grabbed the ensuing draw control and the Bald Eagles iced the game.
Draw controls were certainly key today, especially late in the contest. Brown finished with three draws and Hampson had five. Chaires turned in another tremendous effort and was stellar all over the field. She recorded three ground balls and defender
Kelsey Schultz (Camp Hill, Pa./Cumberland Valley) also stood out. Schultz finished with three ground balls and one caused turnover.
The win was Lock Haven's first versus Mercyhurst since April 7, 2018 and it snapped a five-game losing streak to the Lakers.
Up Next for Lock Haven:
The Bald Eagles will travel to Gannon University Saturday, March 18 for a 1 p.m. PSAC West contest.
