July 5, 2006

Erie, Pa. - The 2006 lacrosse season was an excellent building year for the Lakers. The team finished at 9-8, overcoming a youthful roster that featured 13 freshmen among the 22 players. The newcomers and returning players meshed quickly as the 2006 Lakers set team records in all offensive categories, including goals (210), assists (117), and points (327). It was the first time in school history a team topped the 200 goal plateau. All of the previous records were set in 2001 when the Lakers were ranked No. 6 in the Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA), NCAA Division II final poll, finishing the season 11-3. The 2006 Lakers Finished 14th nationally in NCAA Division II for scoring offense, averaging 12.35 goals per game.

The season did have its ups and downs, however. The Lakers began the season 1-3 on a swing through the Carolinas. A loss in the season opener to No. 8 Queens (19-8) was followed by a 16-8 win over Presbyterian, but the Lakers ran into two more ranked teams in No. 6 Limestone (18-5) and No. 7 Pfeiffer (16-5).

Following the southern trip, the young Laker squad had two weeks to work out the kinks before defeating Seton Hill (20-2). The Lakers then climbed over the .500 mark with a 19-6 victory over East Stroudsburg in the home opener, followed by another home win over Notre Dame College (OH) (19-2).

Mercyhurst hit the road again for a pair of challenging games at the top two teams in the country, No. 1 Adelphi and No. 2 C.W. Post. The Lakers came up short in both contests, falling to 4-5.

The team then split a four-game home stand, defeating Lees-McRae, 19-5, and Bloomsburg (18-8) before falling to No. 4 Lock Haven (14-5) and Shippensburg (15-13). The Lakers bounced back with a road win over St. Vincent, 10-8.

Mercyhurst returned home for Senior Day, where the Lakers upset No. 10 Philadelphia, 15-10. The Lakers closed the season with a 12-8 loss at cross-town rival Gannon and a 15-13 win at Indiana (Pa.).

Individually, senior assistant captain Kelsey French (41G, 26A, 67P) graduated with 102 career goals, the fourth best mark in school history. Her 41 this season tie for the fourth best total for a Laker. With 67 points this season, she posted the third best season and her 175 career points are third all-time, as are her 73 assists. Senior captain Lindsay Jackson (8G, 6A, 14P) finished her career with 21 goals, 9 assists, for 30 points. Senior Kim Johannigman (2G, 1A, 3P) took over 80 percent of the draws for the Lakers in 2006 and finished her career as a draw specialist with 10 goals, 1 assist, for 11 points. Senior defender Kathryn Ball led the team with 41 ground balls and was tied for second on the team in caused turnovers closing out her career with two goals for two points.

Freshman Breanna Haggerty (53G, 33A, 86P) turned in a stellar rookie campaign, leading the team in goals, assists, points, and draw controls and broke two school records in the process. She broke the school record for most goals in a season with 53 (revious - 50 goals set in 1998 by Nadia Shabanza). She also broke the school record for most points in a season with 86 (previous - 71 points set in 2001 by Amy Perry). Haggerty received IWLCA Second Team, All-Region honors.

Sophomore Courtney Olevnik and freshmen Jessie Horeth, and Kristen Toomey each tallied over 25 points on the season while junior Lauren Smith, freshman Page Christensen, and freshman Alicia Guzzo each tallied over 10 points to finish out the season.

Mercyhurst was named a National Academic Squad by the IWLCA for 2006, posting a 3.091 cumulative team grade point average for the year. In addition to that honor, graduates Ball and Jackson were both named to the IWLCA 2006 National Honor Roll for achieving a 3.45 GPA or better cumulative grade point average for their college career.

After the season, Mercyhurst presented its annual awards. The Players Choice Award was given to Jackson. French was named the Offensive Most Valuable Player Award. Toomey earned the Midfield Most Valuable Player Award, while Ball earned the MVP honors on defense. Haggerty was named the team's Rookie of the Year and Angela Schumerth was presented with the Most Improved Player Award for the 2006 team.