4 PM Erie, PA- There was no contest last Wednesday when the nationally ranked Mercyhurst Lakers outscored the Seton Hill Griffins 20-3. Less than 30 seconds in, Kim Masterton scored the first goal from an assist by Kristen Toomey.And the game was stuck on instant replay for the next 15 minutes until Seton Hill’s Stephanie Lazzaro found the back of the net for the first time, making the score 9-1.
All 28 Lakers got playing time and nine different players contributed goals. With 8:00 minutes remaining, Mercyhurst lead by ten, enforcing the mercy rule of having a running clock, exactly what the Griffins hoped for.
Prior to the game, our reporters went behind the scenes into the training room to see the injured 
athletes on both teams get treatment. At the ankle taping station, two Seton Hill players were discussing their game strategy and getting pumped for contest against the number three Lakers. It was inspiring.
“Hopefully [Mercyhurst] scores ten goals fast so we can get it over with and go home.”
Mercyhurst became 9-0 and the Griffin’s bus was on I-90 by 6 p.m.
After a stellar performance, senior midfielder Kristen Toomey gave her input on the day’s game.“It was a good game for everyone to get some playing experience especially with our tough games coming up. I think it also gave us some confidence after having a terrible game against Bloomsburg.”
The Lakers’ winning streak of 7-0 almost ended last game when they went into double over time with Bloomsburg.
It’s hard to choose the best moment in a successful season but for Toomey, winning the first game against rival Gannon stands out.
She adds, “however, beating West Chester who was ranked 1 feels good, so I don’t know what my favorite moment is.”
Mercyhurst has not always had seasons like this, in fact the year before Toomey put on the number 7 jersey the Laker’s record was 6-9. More losses than wins don’t seem attractive but, there must have been something about Mercyhurst Toomey liked.
“To be honest, I wanted to play volleyball in college but at the last minute I changed my mind. Mercyhurst was the first school I looked at for lacrosse and it was a good distance from home and my mom really liked it.”
Once at Mercyhurst, she realized the difficulties of being a student athlete in regards of balancing school and lacrosse. Lots of compromises must be made between the weekends, athletics and grades; at times Toomey must miss class for a game.
“Teachers don’t always understand sports or why we play them and that can be somewhat difficult. However, some teachers really do support the decision to also be an athlete so it all just depends on who the teacher is.”
Outside of school, the events on the road to different schools provide entertainment for the team as Toomey explains an incident earlier this year. The team knew they were in for nine hours of highway fun when their bathroom-less, Lucky Charms Band Bus pulled up having more shamrock decals than seats.
“Our spring break in Farmville, VA was lovely; it snowed for the first time in 9 years. The fields were closed so for practice we ran up and down slush filled steps of the hotel at 9 am. We ate at Longwood University’s cafeteria to cut down costs and after dinner one night, students began pegging us with snowballs and after we found cover on the bus, it got stuck so we had to run to the next building while still getting hit with snow balls. Pretty much, we don't win at anything but games.”
Even with the bad luck she is pleased with her decision of playing in college, “I don’t know where I would be if I never played lacrosse, possibly 20 pounds fatter. Over the past 4 years, I have met so many people that I know I’ll keep in touch.”
As for her future after graduation, Kristen Toomey wants to continue being a student athlete by being a college lacrosse coach and receive her masters in elementary and special education.
“Teachers don’t always understand sports or why we play them and that can be somewhat difficult. However, some teachers really do support the decision to also be an athlete so it all just depends on who the teacher is.”
Outside of school, the events on the road to different schools provide entertainment for the team as Toomey explains an incident earlier this year. The team knew they were in for nine hours of highway fun when their bathroom-less, Lucky Charms Band Bus pulled up having more shamrock decals than seats.
“Our spring break in Farmville, VA was lovely; it snowed for the first time in 9 years. The fields were closed so for practice we ran up and down slush filled steps of the hotel at 9 am. We ate at Longwood University’s cafeteria to cut down costs and after dinner one night, students began pegging us with snowballs and after we found cover on the bus, it got stuck so we had to run to the next building while still getting hit with snow balls. Pretty much, we don't win at anything but games.”
Even with the bad luck she is pleased with her decision of playing in college, “I don’t know where I would be if I never played lacrosse, possibly 20 pounds fatter. Over the past 4 years, I have met so many people that I know I’ll keep in touch.”
As for her future after graduation, Kristen Toomey wants to continue being a student athlete by being a college lacrosse coach and receive her masters in elementary and special education.
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