Erie, Pa – Mercyhurst Women's Soccer is set to continue the PSAC West play this week. The Lakers are scheduled to travel to Johnstown to take on UPJ on Wednesday, September 7^th. They come back home on Saturday to play Slippery Rock at 3:00 pm. Due to unplayable conditions on the UPJ campus the UPJ game has been moved to Richland High School with kickoff scheduled for 1 PM.
 
History Lesson
The Lakers have never lost against UPJ before. They come into Wednesday's game with 11 games winning streak against them. The last game ended with the Lakers winning 2-1, after Emily Mijares' goal sealed the win.
 
Mercyhurst also won the last two games played against Slippery Rock during 2021 season. Both games ended with a score 1-0, and Mijares scored both of those goals too.
 
Great Start
After a loss to Bloomsburg in the first game of the season, the Lakers learned from their mistakes and came back stronger. They defeated Edinboro by a score of 3-1, after goals by Dani Hartman, Karah Von Horn and Mijares. The Lakers went on to beat Clarion in the next game by a score of 1-0. Mijares scored a game-winning goal in the 71^st minute of the game, leading the Lakers to their second win of the season.
 
Individual Success
The reigning PSAC West Rookie and Athlete of the Year for women's soccer, Mijares, earned her first PSAC West Athlete of the Week Award this season. Despite not starting a match this season, she had a great impact on the team, scoring two goals and creating many scoring opportunities for the Lakers.
 
Defense Wins Games
Mercyhurst performed well on defense through the games so far. Clarion only took one shot in the whole game against the Lakers. Players like Taryn Baxter and Bethan O'Donnell make sure the opponents don't get into scoring situations under their goal. Maddie Elbro recorded her first clean sheet in the game against Clarion. She also had a spectacular save in the Edinboro game on a penalty kick. The Kinkver, UK native dove to the left to bounce the ball out, Edinboro rebounded the ball and shot again but Elbro was there, as she saved a second shot with her foot.
 
Scouting The Opponents
UPJ opened their season with two ties and a loss. They tied in a game with Shepherd, lost to Lock Haven, and tied with Edinboro last Saturday. The game against the Fighting Scots ended with a score 2-2. Morgan Kost, the best scorer on UPJ is returning for her sophomore year, and Emily Esser is coming back for her last year with the program.
 
Slippery Rock started their season with 1-1-2 record. They defeated West Virginia Wesleyan, lost to Gannon, and tied with Seton Hill and Fairmont State. Slippery Rock is a young team, as they lost most of their top players. Sydney Patrick is returning after good 2021 season, where she scored five goals and had six assists.
 
The Lakers are scheduled to play UPJ on Wednesday, September 7^th, with kick-off scheduled at 1:00 pm. They come back home on Saturday, September 10^th to take on Slippery Rock at 3:00 pm.