HTML BOX SCORE


BLOOMSBURG—The seventh-ranked Bloomsburg University field hockey team opened its conference schedule with a 1-0 win over Mercyhurst University on Saturday afternoon at Steph Pettit Stadium.
 
The Huskies dominated the action from the opening whistle getting a penalty corner just 5:08 into the game. The penalty corner would be one of 21 for the game for Bloomsburg, a season high in that category.
 
In the first 35 minutes of action the Huskies had eight shots to just one for the Lakers, which came in the final minute of the first half. Mercyhurst goalie Sam Takac made five saves in the opening half to keep the game scoreless at the break.
 
The Lakers started the second half with the ball and quickly drove the ball into its offensive end getting a penalty corner and a shot off in the first four minutes of the period. On Mercyhurst's shot, Bloomsburg goalie Lindsay Cassel (Hummelstown, Pa./Lower Dauphin) made a nice save to keep it 0-0.
 
From there the Bloomsburg defense and midfielders took over rarely letting the ball on the Huskies defensive side of the field. Led by Laura Gerhard (Catasauqua, Pa./Catasauqua), Eleanor Kirby (Garnet Valley, Pa./Garnet Valley), Peyton Shockley (Milford, Del./Milford), Alexis Carroll (Churchville, Pa./Council Rock South), Tali Wehner (Bloomsburg, Pa./Bloomsburg) and Rachel Strockbrine Bloomsburg was able to control field position.
 
The Huskies were finally able to break through with a goal against the Lakers in the 55^th minute of play. On a penalty corner Erica Krebs (Bloomsburg, Pa./Central Columbia) took an initial shot that was saved by Takac off her pads. Abby Sauder (Mount Joy, Pa./Donegal) then moved in on the scramble for control of the ball and punched it to the left side of the goal to make it 1-0. For Sauder it was her fourth goal of the season.
 
The Huskies defense did not allow a shot on goal for the final 31 minutes of play and went on to post the 1-0 win. For the game Bloomsburg held a 19-2 edge in shots and 21-3 edge in corners.
 
Bloomsburg goes to 7-2 with the win, 1-0 in the PSAC (Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference), while Mercyhurst falls to 0-7, 0-1 in the PSAC. The Huskies return to action on Wednesday hosting Mansfield at 4 p.m.