SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Converse College (1-0) field hockey team had its season opener spoiled by visiting Mercyhurst (1-0) on Saturday afternoon at Spartan High. The Lakers used two late goals to defeat CC 3-1.
The initial 18 minutes of the contest was a stalemate as neither team could gain an offensive advantage. However, Mercyhurst pushed across the first goal of the season when a deflected ball found the stick of Leah Rogers and she placed it into the back of the cage with 16:33 remaining before the half.
That lead did not last long as Marina Montes-Nino, last year's leading goal scorer, blasted the rock past the Lakers keeper to knot the contest at 1-1 in the 25th minute of action. With both teams playing stellar defense that deadlocked score would follow the clubs into the halftime break.
Half number two mirrored the start of the contest with the game going scoreless halfway through. Although each team had its scoring opportunities the go-ahead goal could not be scored and the game remained tied heading into crunch time.
Mercyhurst posted back-to-back goals in a span of 1:07 to take a 3-1 lead with just over 11 minutes to play in the contest. The Valkyries were able to put a few shots on goal the rest of the way, but not able to cut into the lead, falling to the Lakers by the final of 3-1.
Montes-Nino led the Valkyries with two shots and the lone goal. Petitto played 62:18 in goal, allowing three scores while collecting 10 saves on the afternoon.
The Valkyries will make the quick turnaround, heading to Charlotte, N.C. tomorrow afternoon to take on Millersville in a neutral site matchup. That contest is scheduled for 11 a.m.