Erie, Pa. – Sophomore Billy Colton scored two second-half goals, powering the No. 22 Mercyhurst men's soccer team to a 2-0 win over cross town rival Gannon Wednesday at Mercyhurst Soccer Field.

 

The host Lakers improve to 5-1-1, including 1-1-1 in the PSAC West, while the Golden Knights are now 5-3, 2-2 in PSAC West play.

 

Mercyhurst struck first in the 54^th minute, as David Miller and Nicholas Thompson executed a give-and-go play near the box, followed by Miller chipping the ball over the Gannon defense. Colton jumped in the air and headed the ball into the upper right corner of the net from 12 yards away for his seventh goal of the season, giving the Lakers a 1-0 lead. Miller's assist was his second on the campaign.

 

Colton got free on a breakaway less than eight minutes later, as Michael De Rose sent a long ball that he tracked down. Colton dribbled inside the 18-yard box, settled the ball and blasted a shot past Golden Knight keeper Steven Boehmer for a 2-0 advantage. The goal gave Colton eight for the season.

 

Mercyhurst held Gannon scoreless the rest of the way, prevailing 2-0 in the first PSAC West meeting between these two familiar opponents.

 

Laker goalkeeper Danny Mudd made five saves for the shutout, his fourth of 2008 and 18^th of his career. Mercyhurst's defense kept shots on frame to a minimum, and helped generate offense as well.

 

The first half was scoreless, and did not see many legitimate scoring opportunities. Gannon outshot Mercyhurst 7-4 in the first half.

 

For the match, Gannon held a slight 18-17 edge in shot attempts, and 5-4 in shots on goal. Mercyhurst took five corner kicks to the Golden Knights' four.

 

The Lakers travel to play PSAC East opponent Shippensburg Saturday at 3:00 p.m.