HOUGHTON, N.Y. - Senior Dean Atkins and junior Alex Manea again combined for two goals in the second-half of play as the Mercyhurst Lakers edged by the Houghton Highlanders for a 2-1 victory on a chilly, windy night.

In a very tight game, the Lakers (2-0) were outshot 17-13 but Mercyhurst proved it's not the quantity of shots you take, it's the quality as they had four shots on goal, two registering for goals.

Atkins scored his second goal of the season on an early second-half unassisted goal at the 52:55 mark to give the Lakers a 1-0 lead. The squad wasted no time when Manea rifled an unassisted game-winning shot past the goalie just nine minutes (61:35) after Atkins netted his ball, giving him his second unassisted mark of the season. Atkins already has half of his total goals from the 2009 season when scored four times.

For the game, the Lakers totaled 13 shots and two corner kicks, both less than what they accomplished in their first contest of the season. Houghton led in both categories registering 17 total shots and three corner kicks.

Sophomore Diego Gustin proved to be pivotal in tonight's match  against the Highlanders. Gustin shut out the Highlanders for 77:30 until Mitch Weaver scored the Houghton's lone point off a free kick from 30 yards out. Gustin emerged from the game with a season-high 10 saves, seven coming in the first half. Gustin records his second win of the season making him 2-0 overall for the season. Steve Zacchigna of Houghton receives the loss in a two-save effort.

With the win the Lakers move to 7-3 all-time against Houghton. The Lakers next match will be at California (Pa.) on Sept. 11th at 1 p.m. The Vulcans are 2-0 on the season and are ranked No. 8 in the NSCAA Atlantic region.