Erie, Pa.—After a pair of wins against Slippery Rock Wednesday and the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown Saturday, women's soccer now sits alone in third place in the PSAC West. The Lakers will host Seton Hill Wednesday before heading to Clarion Saturday.
The Matchups
Seton Hill and Mercyhurst had their first match in 1988 and have played a total of 13 times. The Lakers hold a 9-4 record all-time. The Griffins notched a 1-0 win when the two teams last met Sept. 25 at Seton Hill.
Clarion and Mercyhurst have been playing each other since 2003. The Lakers hold a 13-2-4 record all-time against the Golden Eagles. Mercyhurst has won the last four games and are 6-1-3 in the last 10 games. Mercyhurst won their first meeting this season, 4-0, on Sept. 29 in Erie.
Athlete of the Week
Emily Mijares received her second PSAC West Athlete of the Week honor of the season this week. She provided both game-winning goals for the Lakers last week and the leads the team in goals (7) and total points (15).
Playoff Picture
The Lakers enter this week with a 9-4-1 overall record and an 8-3-1 conference record. With 25 points, the Lakers have strengthened their chances of making the playoffs by creating some distance between themselves, Edinboro (21 points, fourth place), and IUP (19, fifth place). IUP entered the week tied with the Lakers for third place. Meanwhile, Gannon (29) and Slippery Rock (28) lead the division.
The top four teams from each division will advance to the playoffs. The West Division is rounded out by Clarion (13 points), UPJ and Seton Hill (tied with 10 points), and California (9 points).
Back in the Saddle
Maddie Elbro bounced back from a three-goal game against first-place Gannon on Oct. 16, allowing just one goal across two games last week. The sophomore has played every minute of the season in goal for Mercyhurst and lowered her goals against average to 0.82 with the stellar week.
Scouting Seton Hill
The Griffins (4-8-1, 3-8-1 in conference play) last played Saturday, when they took Clarion to double-overtime before notching a 1-0 victory. That win snapped a seven-game winless streak that was started by a 1-1 tie, also against Clarion, on Sept. 27. Alexis Garia leads the offense with two goals, while nine other players have each scored one. Grace Kenyon has spent the most time in net for Seton Hill and holds a 1.68 goals against average.
Scouting Clarion
The Golden Eagles (4-8-1) are led by former Mercyhurst Assistant Coach Alexa Ream. Kylee Cross' five goals lead Clarion, and Alexandra Velez has started every game in goal. Velez has compiled a 2.17 goals against average, racking up 73 saves.
Up Next
The Lakers have just two games remaining in the regular season. Mercyhurst heads to IUP on Nov. 3 and hosts Cal (Pa.) on Nov. 6
