CALIFORNIA, Pa. – The Mercyhurst women's soccer team suffered a tough 1-0 road loss to California (Pa.) on Tuesday night. After the loss, the Lakers sit in ninth place in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference standings. The top eight teams qualify for the conference postseason tournament.
 
Mercyhurst started the game with a great scoring chance in the second minute. Lena Funke hit the crossbar on the Lakers' first shot of the game, an unfortunate sign of things to come for Mercyhurst.
 
The Lakers outshot the Vulcans 6-2 in the first half. Jinan Abdalah Funes had three shots, all of which were on goal but were saved by Cal goalie Meghan Jayes.
 
After Cal's Luisa Holzapfel took the first two cracks on goal in the second half, Mercyhurst responded by registering the next six shot attempts until the 71^st minute. The Vulcans were awarded a corner kick taken by Kira Carberry. Her cross in resulted in header opportunity for Danielle Kearns that was blocked by the Lakers, but Reilly McGlumphy scored off the deflection for her first goal of the season to put Cal up 1-0.
 
Mercyhurst desperately went on the attack looking for the equalizer. The Lakers' best chance came in the 86^th minute when they were awarded a penalty kick opportunity. Rebekah Craig lined up her chance but hit the crossbar with the shot, only for it to redirect right back to her. She headed the ball on goal, but Jayes recovered to save it. The Lakers didn't register a shot after the penalty and lost by one.
 
The Lakers (6-6-1, 5-6-1) look to rebound from their three-game losing skid when they host Mansfield in a Sunday matinee on Oct. 16 at 1:30 p.m.