LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – A five-goal run to start the second half of play was the key for the No. 3 Lock Haven University lacrosse team (17-3), as the Lady Eagles downed No. 5 Mercyhurst College (14-4) 17-11 today in NCAA Division II Championship Lacrosse First Round action on LHU’s Charlotte E. Smith Field.

The two Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Western Division rivals were deadlocked at 8-8, heading into the second half, but the Lady Eagles jumped all over MC in the second and scored five straight goals to set the tone for the win.

Senior Amber Hoch (Souderton, Pa./Souderton) led all scorers in the game with a six-goal performance.

Hoch’s first goal of the game, which came less than six minutes in was the 200th of her stellar career.

Kate Smyth (Levittown, Pa./Pennsbury) netted four goals for LHU to help pace The Haven’s big offensive output.

Allison Berger (Oreland, Pa./Springfield – Delco) added a hat trick and Leigh Titus (Towaco, N.J./Montville) tallied two goals. Titus also had one assist.

Rookie Kayleigh Johnson (Fairport, N.Y./Fairport) recorded a five-point game. She scored one goal and dished out a game-high four assists.

Alexandra Cross (Owego, N.Y./Owego Free Academy) chipped in with one goal for LHU.

Junior Kira Nuttall (Towson, Md./Loch Raven) got the nod between the pipes and turned in a sensational outing in goal, while making 12 saves over 60 minutes action.

Lock Haven’s strong defensive effort was led by Kathleen Zichell (South Orange, N.J./Columbia) and Krystalle Neighbor (Dunellen, N.J./Rutgers Prep).

LHU was quick to get things going in the game, taking full control of the flow from the opening whistle.

Less than six minutes in, it was 1-0, as Berger put LHU on the board first and before you knew it the Lady Eagles were in command, up 3-0.

MC wasn’t going to go away easy and fought back, as the two teams exchanged goals before being deadlocked at 8-8 when the opening 30 minutes of play came to a close.

Smyth scored the first two goals in the second half to put LHU up 10-8.

Three more Haven tallies had Lock Haven in control, leading 13-8, which set the tone for the win.

The NCAA Division II Final Four kicks off Saturday, May 16 at Kerr Field in Salem, Va. The Championship game is set for Sunday, May 17.