ERIE, PA – The Mercyhurst men's soccer team shutout cross-town rival Gannon, 4-0, Wednesday night at McConnell Family Stadium. The Lakers even their record in the wins/loss column to 7-7-1, overall and are 7-1-1 in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) play. The Golden Knights fall to 5-9-0, 3-6-0 PSAC.  

The Lakers scored twice early in the first 45 minutes of play when junior Michael Dirienzo and redshirt senior Mark Roche each netted a goal. Just three minutes into the game, Dirienzo received a pass from teammate Joseph Korb, and he was able to bury a shot past Golden Knight's netminder Jorge Hernandez. It was the Toronto, Ontario native's third tally of the year.  Roche, a Dublin, Ireland native, would record his first goal of the year off a header at the 19:29 mark.

Mercyhurst is 5-2-1 when leading at the half this season.

Graduates Thom Derks (Horst, Netherlands) and Jorge Fitzmaurice (Merida, Mexico) would tack on two more goals in the second.  Derks would score his second of the season in the 64th minute when he headed a ball near the left post and past Hernandez. Fitzmaurice, then, received a pass from Korb inside the box and was able to put it home for his first goal as a Laker.

Mercyhurst would outshoot Gannon, 13-7, and the Laker defense did not allow a single shot on goal the entire game. Gannon held the corner advantage, 7-5.

Daniel Lowton (Wigan, United Kingdom) pitched his fourth shutout of the year. He moves to 5-2 between the pipes.

The Lakers continue to stay in control of their own destiny. With two conference games remaining, Mercyhurst must win both to be PSAC regular season champions and host the conference tournament. Mercyhurst will take on Seton Hill Wednesday, October 28, at home for Senior Day. The season concludes at #14 Millersville Saturday, October 31.