ERIE, Pa. – The Mercyhurst College men's soccer team improves to 5-0-0 after holding Shepherd University scoreless in its first shutout of the season.  Senior Billy Colton led the Lakers as he struck twice in the 2-0 win.

Colton wasted little time giving the Lakers an early 1-0 lead over the Rams.  At the 4:47 minute mark freshman Fernando Martinez lobbed a crossing pass that Colton struck out of the air passing an outstretched goalie for the tally.  The goal marked Colton's third goal of the season and Martinez's second assist of the season.

The first half of action was split between both teams as the Lakers edged out the Rams in shots, 10-9 while slightly holding the advantage in corners, 5-4. 

Mercyhurst continued to dominate possession in the second half taking eight shots compared to its counterparts five.  Colton put the Lakers on the board again at the 64:30 minute mark when the Lakers were awarded a penalty kick after a Shepherd player was assessed with a handball inside the box.  Colton drove the penalty kick just inside the left post for his fourth goal of the season.  Colton has now been successful nine-out-of-10 times in penalty kicks in his career.

Colton's fourth goal puts him just nine goals away from surpassing Mike Blythe's 56 all-time career goals.  The Lakers forward currently owns 48 career goals.

Lakers junior goal keeper Diego Gustin marked his first shutout of the season after making six saves in his fifth win of the season.  Gustin now totals 17 saves on the season while allowing just four goals.  Gustin's counterpart Edgar Lopez Zuniga made five saves in the losing effort.

All told, the Lakers led Shepherd in shots 18-14 and in corners 8-7.  The win marks the second win all-time for the Hurst' against Shepherd Universtiy.  They previously faced off in 2003 with the Lakers prevailing 1-0. 

Mercyhurst continues its home stand Saturday, September 17 as they take on Urbana University at 3 p.m.  Live stats will be available for the game, click here.