Erie, Pa.—The Mercyhurst Men's Soccer team earned their first three PSAC West points with a 6-0 win over UPJ.
How it Happened
The Lakers dominated the game from start to finish. Mercyhurst took the lead in the 16th minute as Ben Friedlander netted his first collegiate goal off a beautiful cross into the box from Sean Kerrigan. After the Lakers drew a foul from just outside the box, Kerrigan fed the ball in and Friedlander outjumped the defender and headed it past the keeper.
In the 27th minute Nathan Nagucki made the Laker lead two after beating the keeper from well outside the box. It was Nagucki's first career goal, but it sure didn't look like it, he made the defender miss and then put the ball in the bottom left corner.
Right before half the Lakers extended their lead thanks to a penalty kick goal from Sidney Warden. Warden scored his fourth of the season after Nic Münch was fouled in the box, Warden made no mistake after the keeper didn't even move on the shot.
The Lakers and Mountain Cats went to half with the Lakers up 3-0 and outshooting UPJ 10-0.
Mercyhurst came out firing in the second half, making their lead four in the 48th minute. Salvador Rang took a pass from Kerrigan off the free kick and blasted it passed the keeper for his first of the year.
Tom Barry got on the scoresheet for the first time this season in the 53rd minute. Barry took the pass from Kerrigan from just inside the pk line and put it past the keeper for the fifth Laker goal.
After earning two assists in the game Kerrigan wanted his own goal. In the 61st minute the Sligo, Ireland native took a free kick and placed it perfectly in the top right corner for the sixth Mercyhurst goal of the game.
By the Numbers
Mercyhurst earned their third clean sheet of the season. Jonathan Gomes and Mattias Odelius split the game in net. The Lakers allowed no shots in the full 90 minutes, outshooting the Mountain Cats 22-0.
Four Lakers scored their first goals of the year in today's game, this season 11 different players have scored with 14 players recording points.
Thank You Seniors
Prior to the game, Alexander Paul and Nevado Elliott were honored as they will be moving on from Mercyhurst after this season.
Sean, Ben, Thoughts?
What About You Coach?
"The boys were professional today in their execution. They did well and we found a good rhythm at times," Head Coach Ryan Osborne said. "I am happy at the way we bounced back after the Seton Hill loss but we are under no illusions about the challenge we will face away at California on Wednesday."
Up Next
The Lakers go on the road on Wednesday to play Cal (PA). Mercyhurst returns home on Oct. 12 to face Le Moyne in their final non-conference game of the year.
