The Misericordia University field hockey team lost a heart-breaker in its season opener against Gwynedd-Mercy, twice taking the lead only to fall 4-3. The Griffins scored the winning goal with just 28 seconds remaining in the game.

Samantha Sorokas, the team's leading scorer in 2009, tallied two goals while senior Jen Lozier had a goal and an assist.

MU took a 3-2 lead when junior Courtney Thomas ran down a ball on the right side and hit a great cross to Sorokas, who one-touched it inside the far post with 24 minutes left to play.

Gwynedd-Mercy had a goal disallowed with 14 minutes left, part of a run of five consecutive shots and four Grace Riker saves before the final attempt crossed the line to tie up the game at 3-3.

Senior Katie Kilmer made a great defensive play in the final minutes, racing back to stop a Griffin breakaway at the last second. Riker also made a great breakaway save with 1:13 remaining before Gwynedd-Mercy grabbed the winner 45 seconds later.

MU had opened the first half with two quick goals in a span of just nine seconds. First Haley Ellis fed Lozier who tapped to Sorokas for an early lead, less than six minutes into the game. Immediately after the goal, Lozier ripped one in from the right side for a 2-0 Cougar lead.

Midway through the half, Lozier contributed at the other end with a diving defensive save to preserve the two-goal advantage.

But the Griffins fought back, scoring with 9:35 remaining in the first half. Three minutes later, Riker made three saves in a minute, including a great stop diving to her right side.

But just before halftime, Gwynedd-Mercy had four consecutive penalty corners, finally converting on the fourth one to pull level heading into the break.

The Cougars will travel to Muhlenberg this weekend to face Kean and Susquehanna.