LOCK HAVEN, Pa.- The Mercyhurst women's lacrosse team won, 10-9, at #10 Lock Haven in a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Semifinal Friday afternoon at Charlotte E. Smith Field. Rebecca Himes scored four goals as the Lakers advanced to their first PSAC Championship match.


 
Down 8-3 with 23:37 left in the second half, Mercyhurst took control and never looked back. Himes scored and then Ally Keirn followed to make it 8-5 with 15:02 remaining. Anna LeGrett got the Lakers within two on a free position shot with under 13 minutes showing on the clock.
 
Elyse Fisher slowed the run with a Haven goal at the 9:02 mark. LeGrett hit Himes for a score to make it 9-7 and then Himes made it a one-goal deficit with 6:39 left. Kelly Palmer tied the contest with 4:55 to play and then LeGrett found Kayla Minner for the go-ahead goal with 3:34 remaining. Lock Haven went on the attack, but the visitors' defense stood tall and ran out the clock, giving Mercyhurst its biggest win since joining the PSAC in 2008.
 
In the first half, defense controlled the action, as neither attack generated a consistent offense. The hosts went ahead 2-0 in the first five minutes, but the Lakers responded. With 21:16 left, LeGrett hit Himes for a goal. After a defensive stop, Mercyhurst evened the score, as Minner found the back of the net. Lock Haven quickly answered, regaining its edge 19 seconds later. Gwen Buss followed with a goal a few minutes after and then the Eagles stretched their advantage to 5-2 with 4:58 remaining in the first half.
 
Himes totaled four goals, while LeGrett had a score and three assists. Palmer and Minner each had two goals. Jenny Perkins led the stellar Laker defense with five saves in net. Kayleigh Johnson led the Eagles with two goals and three assists.
 
Mercyhurst outshot Lock Haven, 26-21, including a 20-8 advantage in the second frame. The Lakers won 14-21 draw controls and forced 14 second-half turnovers.
 
Mercyhurst improved to 13-6 and advanced to the PSAC Championship match tomorrow. It will take on the winner of the West Chester-Bloomsburg game at 1 p.m. Saturday, May 5. Lock Haven fell to 11-6. The Eagles won the last three conference tournaments.
 
For a box score of the Mercyhurst-Lock Haven game, please click here.