INDIANA, Pa. – Despite outshooting the Lakers 14-9 on the day, IUP women's soccer fell to Mercyhurst 1-0 in the 2016 season opener for both teams on Thursday afternoon at South Campus Field.
 
Nine of the Crimson Hawks' 14 shots came in the second half alone, with IUP also holding a 9-2 advantage in corner kick opportunities. Freshman McKenna Keffel (Belle Vernon, Pa./Belle Vernon) tried to be a factor in her first career collegiate appearance, getting off six shots, including two in the first five minutes of the second half.
 
The lone goal of the afternoon came in the 53rd minute, with Mercyhurst's Rebekah Craig squeezing a shot from 15 yards out past IUP goalie Jessica Printz (Fairfax, Va./WT Woodson). In all, Printz saved five of the six total shots on goal.
 
The Crimson Hawks had several chances to tie the match, a nice try off the foot of Kiersten Zerbe (Danville, Pa. /Danville) in the 65th minute, but the Lakers turned away each one to hold onto the lead.
 
IUP will have the chance to get in the win column this weekend when the Crimson Hawks host Clarion (0-1, 0-1 PSAC) on Saturday. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:30 p.m.