Men's Soccer | 11/13/2014 7:40:00 PM

2014 NCAA Tournament Page

ERIE, Pa. – Coming off their second Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Championship in three years, the #7 Mercyhurst men's soccer team prepares for their sixth straight National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Tournament appearance.

The Lakers (18-2-0, 10-1-0 PSAC) will host #22 Notre Dame (OH) on Sunday, November 16, in a second round matchup at Mercyhurst Soccer Field. Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m. This is the second consecutive year Mercyhurst was granted an NCAA Tournament home game.

Mercyhurst currently is riding a 14 game win streak that has placed them in the #7 spot in this week's final National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Poll. The Lakers haven't lost since September 13 against West Chester which was their only conference loss.

The Lakers won the PSAC Championship this past Saturday, November 8, in blow out fashion over Bloomsburg, 5-0. Mercyhurst has outscored its opponents 67-20 this season, marking the third highest goal total since 2001 (70). With the title, it has earned the men the two seed in the Atlantic Region

Notre Dame comes into the NCAA Tournament after losing in the semifinals in the Mountain East Conference (MEC) Tournament to Wheeling Jesuit, 2-0. The Falcons finished second in the conference during the regular season behind #1 ranked and undefeated Charleston (WV) (18-0-1, 11-0-1 MEC).

Sunday's game will be a rematch of the season opener at Notre Dame, a contest Mercyhurst would go on to win, 4-1. Sophomore Danny Deakin recorded a hat trick and added an assist to junior Richard Vanhorne.

Mecyhurst and Notre Dame also faced off in the NCAA Tournament second round last year, where the Lakers won in double overtime, 1-0, off a through pass from senior Fernando Martinez to Dane Rimko for the game winning goal. This will mark the fourth time the schools will face off in two years with the Lakers leading the series, 2-1.

The other Super Region One matchup in the Atlantic Region bracket is set for fourth seeded Bloomsburg to travel to number one overall seed Charleston (WV). The game is set to begin at 7 p.m. Saturday, November 12.

The winner of second round will play the winner of Bloomsburg/Charleston (WV) in the quarterfinal round.  

The 35 team tournament field is made up of two of six teams from each of the eight regions. The top four teams from the Atlantic Region were rewarded with bids: Charleston, Mercyhurst, Notre Dame, and Bloomsburg.

For a look at the NCAA Tournament bracket, click here.