Box Score

SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. – The Mercyhurst College men's soccer team scored a goal in each half to out power Shippensburg University, 2-0.  In the first half junior Austin Solomon notched his third goal of the season while senior Billy Colton continued his quest towards 56 career goals in the second half.
 
Mercyhurst improves overall to 8-1-0 this season and adds another win to its conference record, 2-0-0.  The defending PSAC Champions, Shippensburg drops to 2-4-1 overall this season posting a 1-3-1 record in the PSAC.
 
Colton applied the pressure to the Ship defense almost immediately, taking two shots just inside 11 minutes into the match.  Both shots were on goal but Raider keeper Andrew Foran made the saves.  The Lakers broke through the Ship defense at the 27:14 mark when Solomon took a pass from senior Arash Fahandezh and completed the tally for the early 1-0 lead.
 
The half would end with the Lakers leading 1-0.  In the first half the Mercyhurst defense held the Raiders to just two shots, none of which were on target.  Mercyhurst just took five shots but made them count placing three on goal, one of which found the back of the net.
 
Shippensburg applied heavy offensive pressure in the second half taking 10 shots; five were saved by junior goalkeeper Diego Gustin.  The Lakers defense withstanded the attack and turned away the Raiders on a continual base. 
 
Mercyhurst found itself in an intense conference battle until Colton found the net for the sixth time this season.  Freshman Patrick Gehring utilized a chest pass to Colton who ripped a low line drive into the back of the net from 30 yards out.  Only seven minutes remained in the match and it was not enough time for the Raiders to rally as the Lakers posted their second straight shutout and third of the season.
 
After the win, Gustin's five second half saves helps him improve to 8-1-0 on the season while his counterpart Foran drops to 2-4-1 after making five saves.
 
On Sunday, October 2 at 1 p.m. the Lakers will host No.21 California (Pa.).  The Vulcans have posted a 7-1-2 record thus far ranking 21^st in the national poll and third in the Atlantic Region coaches' poll.  The Oct.2 matchup will be a part of the Mercyhurst homecoming festivities that will be taking place this weekend.