Erie, PA - The Wagner College field hockey team improved to 1-0 in Northeast Conference (NEC) play as the Seahawks defeated the Mercyhurst Lakers at Saxon Stadium on Friday afternoon.

Wagner scored a season-high five goals, took a season-high 29 shots (two shy of the program record), took a season-high 26 shots on target, and had a season-high 18 corner opportunities. 

The Seahawks kept the Lakers scoreless, allowing only three shots and two corner opportunities throughout the course of the game.

After one half of play, Wagner held onto a 2-0 advantage thanks to goals from junior Hailey Bianchino and current NEC Offensive Player of the Week sophomore Floortje Leunisse. 

For Bianchino, this goal marks the first of her collegiate career, which was assisted by NEC Prime Performer sophomore Pilar Lorenzini. Bianchino would go onto assist Leunisse's second quarter goal. 

Junior Abby Reenock set up graduate student Cami Valor with a cross placed in front of the cage to jump start the Seahawks' second-half scoring.

Later in the third, Leunisse scored her second of the game after a rebound shot by senior Emma Lofstedt put the Mercyhurst goalkeeper out of position to extend Wagner's lead to four. 

For Leunisse, this is her second multi-goal game of the season.

The Seahawks held a 10-0 advantage in shots attempted during the third and a 7-3 advantage in shots attempted in the fourth quarter. 

In goal, current NEC Defensive Player of the Week freshman Saar van Dalen and sophomore Puck Schenk combined for Wagner's first shutout of the 2024 campaign.

Van Dalen played the first three quarters while Schenk entered early in the fourth to help secure Wagner's third victory of the season. 

Next up, the Seahawks will play host Hofstra on Sunday, September 22 at the Wagner College Field Hockey Complex. That game is set to begin at 1:00 pm.