Erie, Pa. - The Mercyhurst Men's Soccer team is set to officially kick off their run in Division I this week with a pair of road matchups.  The Lakers, who finished 14-3-1 last season, will first travel down the road to Pittsburgh to face Pitt before taking a trip out west to face San Diego State University.   

The Lakers wrapped up their last season in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference with a 7-2-1 record in conference play but fell short of back-to-back conference championships with a loss to Seton Hill in the PSAC Quarterfinals. 

First on the schedule for the Lakers is Pitt.  The Panthers are coming off a season in which they posted a 6-7-4 record overall and a 2-3-3 record in the ACC. The Panthers opened their 2024 season with a win over #16 Georgetown. Albert Thorsen finished with a goal and an assist in the win over the Hoyas. 

Next on the schedule for the Lakers will be the San Diego State Aztecs.  The Aztecs finished the 2023 season with a record of 6-7-5 overall and a 0-7-3 record in the WAC.  The Aztecs opened their 2024 season with a win over UC Riverside.  Austin Brummett and Robert Matei each scored a pair of goals in the win.  

Returning for the Lakers this season will be All-PSAC First Team Selection and All-American Selection Dylan Sumner.  Sumner led the Lakers in goals with 14 and 31 points a season ago.  Also returning for the Lakers is Graduate Student and All-PSAC First Team Selection Ignacio Gallego and Senior Frank Lovett. 

The Lakers and Panthers will kick-off at 7 PM in Pittsburgh, while the Lakers and Aztecs will kick-off at 7 PM in San Diego.