The Mercyhurst women’s lacrosse team has recently jumped to No. 13 this week’s Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) poll.
After having an eight game winning streak, and obtaining a record of 9-1 and 5-0 in the PSAC, they have rightfully earned their spot.
The Lakers took on Edinoboro on Saturday, April 5, at Tullio Field and beat the Fighting Scots 12-5.
Leading the team this year thus far are juniors Rebecca Himes with 33 goals, 28 assists and 61 points, Jenna Schlagenhauf with 39 goals, 9 assists and 48 points and Mackenzie Jordan with 24 goals, 10 assists and 34 points.
“I think that our team is doing really well this season. I wasn’t here last year but our whole team thinks that we are a completely different team than last year. We are all really positive and are all on the same page about where we want our season to go. We are working really hard and pushing each other every day to try and reach our goals,” Schlagenhauf said.
Himes recorded two goals and dished out four assists as she tallied her 200th career point at Mercyhurst at the game against Edinboro. She is the fifth Laker to score 200 or more points in her career.
“I think everyone is really stepping up this year and that is why we are doing so well. Everyone has their own things that they are so good at that help us win each game. We are all starting to really learn how everyone plays individually, which helps us all work off of each other and mesh really well together,” Schlagenhauf said.
During Saturday’s game, the Lakers outshot the Scots, 30-15, and won 13-19 draw controls. Himes finished with two goals and four assists. Jordan and Schlagenhauf each scored three goals, while junior Hannah Corton put up a goal and an assist.
“We really needed a win against Edinboro to stay undefeated in the PSACs so it was a good win for us. I think that the score of the game didn’t really reflect how we played because we should have won by a lot more than we did but we weren’t hitting our shots,” Schlagenhauf said.
The Lakers will travel to Lock Haven to take on Lock Haven University on Thursday, April 9. The ball is set to drop at 4 p.m.
“I think that I’m having so much success this season because I’m having a lot of fun. I love lacrosse so much and really enjoy playing every day. I only have one year of lacrosse left after this season and that makes me want to give 100% effort in everything that I do. Our team also makes it really easy to do well.”
“Everyone works do well off of each other and I know that they have my back, if I throw a feed I know that they will catch it,” Schlagenhauf said.
