ERIE, Pa. – After opening the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) portion of their schedule yesterday with a 3-2 double overtime win over West Chester, the Mercyhurst men's soccer team was defeated, 2-1, in a close battle with #18 Bloomsburg.

The Lakers struck first when junior Michael Dirienzo, a Toronto, Ontario native, scored his first goal of the season at the 39:01 mark of the first half. Dirienzo received a touch pass from senior Richard Vanhorne and blasted a shot that was deflected off the Huskies goalkeeper. The deflected ball came right back to Dirienzo, where he was able to finish with his second shot, beating the keeper right side.

Dirienzo had another opportunity to make it a two goal lead early in the second half, when he put another hard shot on goal that was again deflected back at him. However, his rebound shot hit the right post with 45:53 showing on the clock.

The Huskies would take advantage of the missed Laker opportunity and score two goals at 56:21 and 70:04 to take a 2-1 lead.

Mercyhurst would get a great look on net with 12 seconds to play, when redshirt senior Mark Roche put a header on net, but Bloomsburg goalkeeper Jared Ott made a beautiful save to secure the victory.

With the loss, the Lakers fall to 1-3, 1-1 PSAC, while Bloomsburg improves to 4-1, 2-1 PSAC.

Mercyhurst will look to rebound Tuesday at home against the University of the District of Columbia, Kickoff is scheduled for 4:00 p.m.