CALIFORNIA, Pa. - The Mercyhurst College men's soccer team fought hard but could not find a way to put the ball in the net at California on Saturday as the two squads battled through double overtime for a 0-0 draw.
In the first period of play, the Lakers held a 7-3 shot advantage and a 2-1 corner kick advantage. California's senior Derek Yobbi saved two of the seven Mercyhurst shots. At the 7:09 minute junior
Alex Manea had a near goal when he ripped the ball at the net but was just wide off the post. During the 18th minute of the game senior
Dean Atkins had a good look but was blocked by a Vulcan defender.
Mercyhurst kept up the offensive pressure in the second period shooting the ball six times. Atkins and Manea combined for five of those six shots in the second half. The defense for the Lakers stood strong against the Vulcans only allowing three shots in the second period.
Matias Karioja had a busy second half taking five corner kicks, while the Lakers counterpart only took two in the entire game.
Both defenses played an aggressive first overtime, where the Vulcans did not allow a single shot from the Lakers while Mercyhurst only gave up two. Both shots on goal were saved by the reliable sophomore
Diego Gustin.
During the second and final overtime both teams seemed to have felt the effects of a double-overtime thriller. The Lakers' Atkins was the only one able to get a shot off and Yobbi managed to save what could have been the game winner.
Mercyhurst hasn't played in a double-overtime 0-0 draw since 2005 against Saginaw Valley. Last year the Lakers played in three double-overtime games, two of which were against Slippery Rock University. The Lakers now have a 2-0-1 record for the 2010 season and the Vulcans match Mercyhurst with a 2-0-1 record.
The squad will take a much deserved four day rest then take the field against Shippensburg University Wednesday September, 15 at Mercyhurst Soccer Field. Live Stats for the game will be available at
www.sidearmstats.com/hurst/msoc/ if you are unable to attend.
