ERIE, Pa. – The Mercyhurst men's soccer team moved to 12-4 overall and 8-2 in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) play with a 2-1 win over California (Pa.) on a chilly Wednesday afternoon at Mercyhurst Soccer Field.
 
Mercyhurst scored both its goals in the first half to pull away from the Vulcans (2-13, 2-8). Connor Wilkinson netted his fourth of the season and third in the last five games in the 4^th minute. Christopher Makengo set him up with a long through-ball for the assist.
 
Wilkinson added to the scoresheet with an assist of Andrew Bennett's first goal of the season in the 14^th minute. Bennett won Wilkinson's corner kick in the air and scored via header to give the Lakers to the two-goal advantage.
 
Cal's Eric Campbell scored to bring Cal within one in the second half, but the Lakers held on for the win and allowed just four shots on goal. Martin Jarc earned his seventh win of the season in goal.
 
Mercyhurst moves into a tie for second-place with Millersville in the PSAC standings with 24 points. Millersville owns the tiebreaker with a head-to-head win over the Lakers this season and one less loss overall. The second seed gets a bye in the first round of the PSAC Tournament and plays its first match in the semifinals hosted by top-ranked West Chester. The third and fourth seeds host quarterfinal matches at their respective home fields. 
 
The Lakers travel to PSAC-Tournament-bound East Stroudsburg to conclude their regular season schedule this Saturday, Oct. 28, at 12 p.m.