ERIE, Pa. – The Mercyhurst College men's soccer team remains unbeaten after taking a 2-0 decision against Tiffin on a cold and rainy day at Mercyhurst Soccer Field.

The Lakers (7-0-1) registered a goal in each half for the victory and now match their best start to a season since 2004 when they also went 7-0-1 to begin.

Alex Manea posted his fifth goal of the season in the 23rd minute for the game-winner while Christoph Hampel added an insurance goal in the 64th minute.

Sophomore Matias Karioja assisted on both goals and now leads the team with four helpers.

The Lakers fired early and often, just narrowly missing out  in the 11^th minute of the game when graduate student Sam Gore ripped a shot at an open net only to be saved. Just 40 seconds later senior Dean Atkins, the Lakers' leading goal scorer (6), got into the act when he shot a ball that snuck past two defenders, but again Tiffin's goalkeeper was there to spoil the goal with a save.

Karioja had an opportunity in the 19^th minute when he headed a ball that was crossed but Jeff Frisch of Tiffin made a diving stop to deny Karioja of his third goal on the season. Just four minutes later the Lakers finally put one past Tiffin when Karioja dribbled the ball down the west end of the field and crossed it from outside the box to Manea who placed the ball in the top of the net.

The second half was played very physical, with 20 combined fouls handed out to the teams. Senior Tommy Lund wasted no time in the second half, shooting a ball from 25 yards out but missing high of the net. Tiffin forced the ball up field and had an opportunity but sophomore Diego Gustin ate the ball up with his third save of the game. Mercyhurst shot the ball three more times before finally netting its second goal of the match when graduate Hampel kicked the ball out of mid-air to beat Frisch.  Hampel's opportunity came after Karioja crossed a corner kick.

The Lakers played great defense throughout the game but stepped up in the second half, not allowing a Tiffin shot after the 56^th minute of the game. The squad only allowed five shots all game and gave up two corner kicks. Gustin and the defense have played stingy all year not allowing more than one goal in any of the eight matches played, and the unit has only given up four goals total on the year. 

Gustin's record improves after another solid performance in between the posts. He now claims a 7-0-1 record and has recorded 31 saves on the year.

The Lakers now look ahead to PSAC foe East Stroudsburg University.

East Stroudsburg is 7-1-0 overall this season and carry a 3-1 conference record into Wednesday's matchup. The Lakers obtain home field advantage as the game will be held at Mercyhurst Soccer Field at 5:30 p.m. Live stats will be available for the match,click here.