After pushing out yesterday’s post, I hustled over to Miller Stadium at IUP, so I could catch the warm ups (yes, it is necessary). It was a clear, crisp afternoon – pretty much perfect for a lacrosse game, especially in mid-March. The Crimson Hawks have been one of the toughest PSAC opponents for Mercyhurst’s Senior Class. Having only beaten them last season, by one goal. I expected a tough battle, and that is how it played out.

The teams traded leads, early on before the Lakers went ahead 3-2. Mercyhurst would hold the lead the rest of the way, but it would not be easy. Each time the Lakers would extend the lead, the Hawks would make a run of their own, to close the gap. Mercyhurst came out of halftime on fire and opened up an eight goal lead (16-8), about twelve minutes into the second half. IUP was not finished fighting, as they battled back to 17-14! The game was riveting right to the end, with the Lady Lakers coming away with the 20-15 victory.

This was exactly the type of bounce back game, they needed. They were relentless in all facets of the game and their competitiveness was evident, as they had a sixty minute fight on their hands, but never relinquished the lead after the early going. They had some swagger yesterday. I am hoping the MOJO is here to stay, now!

In the first half, the Mercyhurst Men’s Basketball Team, was in the stands, boisterously supporting the Lady Lakers. They left early to prepare for their appearance in the NCAA Tournament, Sweet Sixteen, being played in IUP’s magnificent, Kovalchick Arena! The Ladies, returned the favor, when they paraded in to the arena to cheer the guys on. It was great seeing the two teams support one another. Laker fans were treated to a thrilling 82-70 win over West Liberty University, to win the Atlantic Region and advance to the Elite Eight!

It was a “sweet” day for this dad. I got to watch the Lady Lakers win, and then went to the basketball game with Diana. A great experience, for sure!

This morning, I was up early again. I got an abbreviated , though efficient workout in (a little better than average, hotel gym), got breakfast (free), got cleaned up, and was on the road to Long Island before 9am. Upon, my return, I did some FLG work before sitting down to write this. Tomorrow, I will rejoin the Old Westbury Panthers for their away game at Neumann University in New Jersey. I will try to do some FLG work on Friday, before Debi and I head west for Shippensburg, where the Lady Lakers play the Ships (not the most imaginative name) on Saturday. Shippensburg lost by 3, to Bloomsburg, yesterday. So, it should be a tough game on Saturday. I am a bit weary, but am already looking forward to it!