Feb. 27, 2008

Erie, Pa. - The Mercyhurst women's lacrosse team remained at No. 10 in the country in the second Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association Top 10 poll for 2008. Mercyhurst received 19 votes and is tied with Pfeiffer for the final spot in the poll.

Mercyhurst has opened the season with three convincing wins, breaking numerous school records in the process. The Lakers broke the school record for goals in a game in a season-opening 25-5 win over Lees-McRae. The team also tied the program record for margin of victory in that contest. With a 16-6 win over Rollins in the next contest, Mercyhurst set the school record for most goals in back-to-back games. The Lakers then shut out an opponent for an entire half for the first time since 2004 in a 9-3 win over Notre Dame (Ohio).

Junior All-American candidate Breanna Haggerty is off to a scorching start to the season with 16 goals and two assists. Haggerty, who was named to the Tewaaraton Trophy Watch List (the lacrosse equivalent of the Heisman Trophy), scored six goals in each of the first two contests and has strung together 11 consecutive games with at least three goals. Goalkeeper Maeve McGoff is off to a strong start as well, allowing just 4.67 goals per game and making 58 percent of her save opportunities.

Defending national champion C.W. Post remains No. 1 in the country and received eight first-place votes. West Chester is No. 2 and garnered the other two first-place votes. Adelphi, Limestone and Stonehill round out the top five. Lock Haven is No. 6, followed by Gannon, Belmont Abbey and Queens. Belmont Abbey made the largest jump of the week, entering the poll after being unranked in week one. Pfeiffer dropped from seventh and is tied with Mercyhurst at No. 10.

Mercyhurst will look to move to 4-0 Thursday at the Lakers travel to play Presbyterian in Clinton, S.C. at 11 a.m. Mercyhurst plays its first eight games on the road before opening at home March 22 against Queens (N.C.) at noon.