Contributed Photo: Field hockey was voted eighth in the PSAC Preseason Coaches Poll for the 2013 season.In 2012, the Mercyhurst field hockey team captured a total of five home game wins, setting itself up for a strong 2013 season.

With losing only three players, Meghan Richards, Jessica Richards, and Tessa Ramsdell and gaining three freshmen, the Lakers are off to a solid start to this year’s season.

“We’ve gained three talented freshmen. They’re fitting in perfectly with our team, and they’re quickly adjusting to Division II athletics,” said junior Marissa Faso.

“Emily Burns, Alex Albright, and Kimberly Pflumm are going to have an amazing freshman season. They’ve worked so hard during preseason and deserve to show off their skills in the coming games.”

Some of the returning players to look out for are junior Marissa Faso who lead the team with nine goals and total of 23 points during last year’s season. Senior Meghan Smith added on an additional six goals, while sophomore Cayla Slade scored five times.

“We’ve been doing extensive conditioning, as well as fine tuning our stick skills”, said Faso.

“Team systems have been a reoccurring theme for every practice to be sure we are ready for anything in the 2013 season. We had the opportunity to be coached by Moses So from England. He has helped bring us to that next level with special skills that he has been taught at the international level. Moses promised to come back when we make it to PSACs at the end of our season,” said Faso.

With a 2-4 loss during the season opener against Millersville, the Lakers are holding strong and are ready for another unforgettable season.

“Three-a-days are always stressful and tough but the team bonds best under tough conditions that we get through together. Our team has come a long way since Aug. 18. We’ve learned two new complex defensive and offensive systems, assimilated the three freshmen into our team dynamic, and our green versus white game proved we are prepared for the 2013 season,” said Faso.

This season the Lakers have nine games scheduled against teams ranked in the National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) Preseason Poll.

The Lakers next home match will be on Sept. 13 against Limestone College at 2 pm.