Complete Box Score

MILLERSVILLE, Pa. – The Mercyhurst College men's soccer team's season came to an end on Thursday night, as the Lakers suffered a 1-0 loss at the hands of top-seeded Millersville University in the NCAA Atlantic Regional semifinals. The Lakers were shutout in the loss on a chilly Thursday night at Chryst Field at Biemesderfer Stadium.

The Lakers finish their season with an overall record of 10-8-0 while Millersville extends its season and now will play in the Atlantic Region Championship on November 12.  Currently, the Marauders own a 13-6-1 overall record.

The Marauders struck first when Eric Pepper took a corner and placed it at the far post which found Brian Dingle, who netted his first goal of the season off a header that he tucked between the left post and a diving Diego Gustin.  The one goal proved to be enough as the Lakers couldn't find the equalizer against Marauders goalkeeper Brad Benzing, who recorded his ninth shutout of the season and his fourth consecutive.

The Lakers' best opportunity to score came in the last minute of the first half when senior Billy Colton shot from eight yards out only to be blocked by a Millersville defender.  The rebound found the foot of freshman Ryan Lund who ripped another shot from about the same spot only to be blocked again by another defender.  Lund quickly setup a corner with a few seconds left but the remaining time in the half ran out before the Lakers were able to spark any offense. 

The first half played evenly with Mercyhurst holding the shot advantage taking 11 shots compared to seven from the Maraduers. The two teams both took two corners after the first half.

The intensity of the match picked up in the second half as the PSAC foes combined for 24 fouls and six yellow cards.  The Lakers seemed to feed off the passion as they took 12 shots in the second half which included six shots on goal.

Freshman Sam Dorf provided support off the bench and put the first shot on goal in the second half as Benzing made the save.  After the shot, Mercyhurst took two corners from the near side.  The second corner found the head of freshman Kevin Barry but the shot was blocked.  After a scramble for the loose ball, Dingle of Millersville received his second yellow card at the 81:50 minute mark.  With the second, he also received a red ejecting him from the match, giving the Lakers an 11-on-10 advantage for the remainder of the contest.

With just four-and-a-half minutes remaining Lund popped a pass up to himself then struck it from 25 yards out as the shot went off the finger tips of the Marauders keeper.

The Lakers made another offensive push with just four minutes remaining.  After two corners, Eric Steinmetz, Arash Fahandezh, and Matthew Campana all took shots which were on goal but saved by Benzing.

The backline made up of Lund, Steinmetz, Barry, and Campana continually turned away the Marauder attack, shutting down the frontline of Millersville.  Fahandezh and Oliver Gage also provided defensive support from midfield.

All told, the Lakers took 23 shots compared to the Marauders 10, while the Lakers also held the advantage in corners, 8-2.  Junior Diego Gustin made two saves in the losing effort while Benzing made 11 saves.  Gustin ends his junior season with a 10-6-0 record and four shutouts.  Benzing improves to 13-6-1 overall.

The loss ends the Lakers season, marking the second consecutive year that the squad has lost in the first round of the NCAA playoffs.