Field Hockey Starts Conference Season With Victory Over Mercyhurst

Erie, Pa. — The Merrimack College field hockey team earned its first conference victory of the season against Mercyhurst University on Friday afternoon. Four different Warriors scored goals in the victory.

The Basics
Score: Mercyhurst 3, Merrimack 4
Records: Merrimack (1–5, (1-0 NEC), Mercyhurst (0-5, (0-1 NEC)

How It Happened
The Lakers scored the first goal of the game in the first period to go up one. Merrimack could not find the back of the net, but had five shots on goal in the first period. Less then a minute into the second, Mercyhurst added another goal to go up by two. The Warriors responded with their first goal of the game of the game in the 24^th minute. Whitney Dacko scored the first goal of her Merrimack career to cut the advantage to one. Delaney Weiler added an assist on the play. With under a minute to play in the first half, Ciara Ryan found the back of the net to tie the game at two heading into halftime.
 
Almost the entire third quarter consisted of back and forth play from both teams. In the 44^th minute Gianna Cioni broke free and scored her first goal of the season to put Merrimack up by one heading into the final stanza. Just three minutes into the fourth, Erin Cottam added her first Warrior goal to give Merrimack a two-goal cushion. Gracie Lloyd had an assist on the goal. The Lakers scored a goal in the 53^rd minute to cut the lead down to one, but the comeback was stopped, giving the Warriors the victory in Erie.  
Notable Performers
Isabelle Gardiner finished the game with two saves.
Cottam and Darla Mahoney finished the game with a team-high four shots on goal.
The Warriors had a season high 22 shots, 19 of them on goal.

Up Next:
The Warriors get back to action on Sunday afternoon at Quinnipiac University. Game time is set for 1 p.m.