Erie, Pa.—The Mercyhurst Men's Soccer team were crowed both PSAC Regular Season Champions and PSAC Conference Champions in 2016. On Saturday, the Lakers took the first step to repeating this feat as they were crowned PSAC West Regular Season Champions with a 3-0 win over Cal (Pa.).
How it Happened
The Lakers started the scoring early as they scored their first goal in the 7th minute. Sidney Warden was fouled in the box. The PSAC leader in scoring stepped to the spot and made no mistake beating the keeper to make it 1-0.
About 45 seconds later in the 8th minute Dylan Sumner scored his seventh goal of the year. Sumner took a pass from Nic Münch and beat the charging keeper in the bottom right corner of the goal.
Mercyhurst went into the half up 2-0 and outshot the Vulcans 8-3. Jonathan Gomes did not need to make a save as Cal couldn't get a shot on net.
The Lakers put the icing on the cake in the 86th minute as Sean Kerrigan was fouled in the box. Kerrigan took the penalty kick and blasted it into the top right corner of the net for the third Laker goal.
Mercyhurst outshot Cal 14-6 and 6-1 in shots on goal. Gomes made one save in the second half to earn his sixth clean sheet.
Rocky Start, Smooth Finish
The Lakers started the season 0-2-0 with losses to West Liberty and Bloomsburg. Since then, the Lakers went 12-1-2. Mercyhurst has also picked up at least a point in their last nine PSAC West games which includes a six game winning streak to close the season.
Austin, Dylan, Thoughts?
Coach, What Do You Think?
Head Coach Ryan Osborne is very proud of his team. "I am delighted for the boys, they worked hard and bounced back this season when faced with adversity and when results didn't go the way we wanted them to. I am proud of the resilience and togetherness we have shown throughout the month of October and early November."
Osborne talked about how far the team as came since the start of the season. "We have come together for the benefit of the team and this is something that has helped us massively down the stretch. We will enjoy this championship as we earned it and get back to work on Monday. We look forward to the PSAC tournament now and are eager to make an impression."
"I would like to place on record a special thank you to our coaching staff: Austin, Ross and John – all of whom eat, sleep and breathe Mercyhurst soccer, without their contributions and efforts none of this would be possible. We are excited for next week and the chance to play for another championship."
Everyone Starts Again
The PSAC playoffs start on Tuesday as Seton Hill will play Gannon on the road and West Chester will host Millersville. Both top seeds get a bye in the first round. The PSAC semi-finals and final will be played at Saxon Stadium as it was predetermined that the highest PSAC West team would host. Lock Haven is the top seed in the east and will play the winner of Seton Hill and Gannon on Friday at Mercyhurst. The Lakers will play the winner of West Chester and Millersville.
