The Mercyhurst Women’s Lacrosse team won its first Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) game, defeating Millersville University, 18-11, Saturday afternoon.

Mercyhurst led for the entire game, only allowing Millersville to come within one point in the beginning of the game.

“Since PSACs is such a competitive conference, it’s important for us to be on top of our game every game,” said senior Becca Himes. “The game went really well, we focused on what we needed to do and we accomplished it, along with the win.”

Senior Mackenzie Jordan scored the Lakers’ first goal for the game, and was assisted by Himes with 29:46 left in the first half.

Millersville tied the game shortly after, but sophomore Carly Zimmerman put the Lakers back on top with two unassisted goals.

Millersville scored after that, making the game 3-2, Lakers.

The Lakers scored four unassisted goals to take a 7-3 lead over Millersville. Himes, junior Olivia Keirn, Zimmerman, and sophomore Janelle Williams were part of the rally.

Late in the first half, Millersville scored two goals, but senior Taylor Ventre came back with a goal for the Lakers, ending the first half at 8-4, Lakers.

For the first 10 minutes of the second half, Millersville and the Lakers took turns scoring goals to make it 10-7 Lakers. Senior Jenna Schlagenhauf scored both of the goals assisted by junior Emily Gebhardt.

The Lakers took charge and scored 7 goals with 20 minutes left in the game. Gebhardt, Schlagenhauf, Himes, Keirn, Ventre, Zimmerman, and senior Kiersten Krolikowski all contributed to those 7 goals.

Millersville had its chance to make a comeback with 3 goals, but Jordan sealed the deal with a goal late in the second half.

Millersville scored the last goal of the game to make the final score 18-11 Lakers.

The Lakers were able to win 24 out of 31 draw controls.

“We have been struggling on the draw circle all season; but with constant practice on that part of our game, we were able to dominate the draws and thus control the tempo of the game,” said head coach Cecil Pilson. “Millersville is a tough team and I felt we played extremely well.”

Mercyhurst led in shots on goal, 27-17, and picked up 20 ground balls to improve their record to 5-1.

The Lakers are back in Erie to play on March 27, against East Stroudsburg University at 3 p.m.