Erie, Pa. - The Lakers Women's Soccer team looked to win their first game in nearly three years against the Golden Knights when Mercyhurst hosted their crosstown rivals Wednesday evening. After the two teams finished the first half tied, Gannon came out of the halftime break and fired off a quick goal to take a 2-1 lead they'd never relinquish.

How It Happened

Gannon fired the opening salvo of the game just two minutes into the contest as Emilie Hilliard headed the ball in the back of the net off the corner kick from Sarah Fails. The Lakers did not wait around long to tie things up, scoring just a few minutes later. It was Karah Van Horn who helped knot things up at one in the fifth minute of action. The sophomore broke free from her Golden Knight defender as a ball in the box from Teagan Mehalko found Van Horn's foot for the goal.

The remaining 40 minutes of the opening half were less action-packed as neither team scored before the break. The Golden Knights proved to be the more aggressive team through the first 45 minutes as they were able to get seven shots on goal compared to the Laker's four. Mercyhurst's goalie Maddie Elbro put in a solid first half of action with her facing the Golden Knight's seven shots, saving five of them to tie her season-high which came against Edinboro on August 31st.

Gannon opened up the scoring in the second half with a goal in the 56th minute to take a 2-1 lead. It was Ella Fadale who scored for the Golden Knights this time around with Sarah Fails, grabbing her second assist of the game. 

Neither team could gain a major advantage through the rest of the second half as the score held at 2-1. The Lakers did all they could to try and draw even with a couple of strong attacks, but to no avail as the Golden Knights held on for the one-goal victory.

By the Numbers

Maddie Elbro ended up recording six saves in the contest for her season-high; she found herself tied for her season-high at the half with five. Karah Van Horn continues to add to her impressive campaign with her fifth goal of the season. Van Horn comes off a week in which she won the PSAC West Athlete of the Week award and is on the right track to repeating.

What's Next

The Lakers now prepare to hit the road for their next contest as they travel to Indiana, Pa. to take on IUP. That game will wrap up the week as the teams meet on Saturday, September 24th, with kick-off set for 1:00 p.m.