ERIE, Pa. - The Gannon women's lacrosse team hosts rival Mercyhurst Saturday, April 4 in a match critical to the Lady Knights' post-season hopes. Game time for Senior Night at Gannon University Field is scheduled for 7 p.m.

Live gameday statistics will be available at http://www.gannon.edu/athletics/women/lacro/lstats/XLIVE.HTM.

Both teams come into Saturday's affair ranked among the nation's best. Mercyhurst (9-0, 4-0) is rated third nationally while Gannon (8-3, 2-2) is tabbed sixth. In addition to the national rankings, the rivalry match has large post-season implications. The top two teams in each division will qualify for the 2009 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Tournament. The Western Division's top seed will host the PSAC Final Four.

Mercyhurst currently leads the PSAC West with a 4-0 conference record. Lock Haven is 4-1 while Gannon is 2-2. The Lakers' victory over Lock Haven earlier in the season currently provides the difference for homefield advantage.

For Gannon, the Lady Knights need a victory to remain in post-season contention. A loss leaves Gannon two matches out of the final playoff spot with an 0-3 record against Mercyhurst and Lock Haven. A victory keeps the squad within one match of both clubs.

Gannon's six-match overall win streak and nine-match home win streak were snapped last Wednesday with a 9-8 loss to Lock Haven. It was the program's first home loss since an 11-9 setback to Lock Haven on April 16, 2007.

Mercyhurst has yet to taste defeat in nine matches this season, winning three of its last four contests by two goals or less. The Lakers are 4-0 on the road this season.