Box Score

Erie, Pa. – The Mercyhurst men's soccer team trailed 2-0 to East Stroudsburg late in the match, and despite a late surge, the Lakers fell 2-1 Saturday, Oct. 3 at Mercyhurst Soccer Field. Paul Neill scored the Lakers' lone goal during the 82nd minute.

Mercyhurst is now 8-3 on the season following the loss, while East Stroudsburg improves to 4-6-1.

The first half was evenly played, with each team owning possession for significant amounts of time. Both teams attempted several searching through-balls during the first 45 minutes, but the defenses turned many potential chances aside. The Warriors got on the scoreboard first, as Jason Rudder settled the ball 14 yards from the goal on the right side following a scramble in front. He then floated a shot that found the upper portion of the net for a 1-0 ESU lead at 25:12.

East Stroudsburg maintained its lead throughout the remainder of the first half, and the Lakers went into the locker room down 1-0.

The Lakers outshot the Warriors 10-8 during the first session, and each team registered three shots on target.

Mercyhurst was forced to make defensive adjustments due to an injury late in the first half. Nicholas Thompson moved back to left defender from the midfield for the second half. The Warriors added a second goal in the 72nd minute, as Trevor Kelley struck from 15 yards out, assisted by Dominick Frabizio at 71:34.

Trailing 2-0, the Lakers moved Christoph Hampel to the forward position for his prowess around the net and on corner kicks. He helped Mercyhurst attack the ESU net for a majority of the final 15 minutes, as the Lakers outshot the Warriors 8-3 over that span. Mercyhurst registered three shots off of a single corner kick in the 80th minute, but the ESU defense thwarted close chances by Hampel, Tommy Lund, and Ole Brandmeyer.

During the 82nd minute, Michael De Rose sent a skillful through-ball which Paul Neill received in stride, and Neill beat ESU keeper Larry Prokrywa at 81:37. Neill's goal, his fourth of the season, sliced the deficit to one goal at 2-1. The Lakers continued pressing for the equalizer, but were unable to tie the score, falling 2-1 to East Stroudsburg.

For the game, the Lakers outshot the Warriors 23-15, while both teams attempted six shots on goal. Mercyhurst took all of the game's eight corner kicks.

Prokrywa made five saves, while Mercyhurst's Diego Gustin stopped four shots.

The Lakers now have three players with four or more goals on the season, as Thompson has tallied eight times, and Neill and Billy Colton have each recorded four goals. The last time three or more Mercyhurst players scored at least four goals in the same season was 2006.

Saturday's loss broke the Lakers' program record-tying 13-game home winning streak, which began Sept. 21, 2004.

The Lakers play at Lock Haven Tuesday, Oct. 6 at 3 p.m. in a PSAC West match. Mercyhurst downed LHU 3-1 in their PSAC West opener Sept. 6.