ERIE, Pa. – The No.4 Mercyhurst College Lakers suffered their first loss of the season today as they took on Millersville University. The match ended in the first OT, off of a corner kick that was headed in for the game winner. With the loss the Lakers hold a 12-1-3 record and Millersville improves to 10-4-1.
The first period was evenly played with Mercyhurst holding a slight advantage in shots (6-3) and corner kicks (2-1). Both senior
Dean Atkins and junior
Eric Steinmetz put a shot on goal but both were rejected by the Marauder goal keeper Matt Langione. Millersville threatened at the 10:04 mark when Millersville's Kyle Loughlin headed a ball toward the Laker net, only to be saved by sophomore
Diego Gustin.
Millersville took the shot advantage in the second half of play, shooting the ball six times, while the Lakers shot five times. The Lakers took three corner kicks compared to Millersville's zero. Atkins and Steinmetz collectively put two shots on goal but with the same results as in the first half. Gustin shutdown the Marauder attack saving four shots that would have carried into the back of the net. The Lakers would play with a man down after the 83:54 mark of the game due to a red card. While playing with a man down the Lakers continued their offensive attack shooting the ball two more times, sophomore
Nate Stern rifled his shot at the end of regulation only to be saved by the Marauder's goalie.
Stern's shot wouldn't be the only breathtaking moment in the game, as senior
Tommy Lund rifled a shot that deflected of the post just one minute into overtime. The goal would have ended the game and gave the win to the Lakers, but Millersville had different plans. In the 94:16 minute of the game Pat Buffuto took a corner kick that he centered toward the back of the goal, only to find a high rising Aaron Rolland who headed the ball in the net for the game winner.
The Loss marks the Lakers first regular season loss in almost one year. The Lakers last lost on October 30th to Lake Erie College, 3-1. Both defenses played exceptional in today's contest, the Marauder's goal keeper Langione made five saves on the contest and holds a 10-4-1 record. The Lakers keeper Gustin made six saves in the losing effort and embraces a 12-1-3 record on the year.
The Lakers will face off against another PSAC opponent on October 27th, taking on Slippery Rock University. The game will take place at Slippery Rock on James W. Egli Soccer Field; the game time is set for a 3 p.m. start. The Lakers beat the Rock last year in the regular season but tied them in the PSAC playoffs then lost to them in the NCAA regional playoffs 2-3 in 2OT.
