ERIE, Pa. – The Mercyhurst men's soccer team played their third conference game of the season against Howard today as wrapped up their eight-game stretch of away matches. Today was also senior day and the program's 50th anniversary. Mario Ganser scored two penalty kicks and Ryan Mrvcic netted his first of the season in the Laker's 3-0 shutout over the Bisons. 
 
The first half commenced with Mercyhurst (1-6-3, 1-1-1 NEC) exerting offensive pressure early. Jalen Jackson-Tyus fired multiple shots, but Howard (1-9-1. 0-3-0 NEC) kept themselves sound defensively. The Lakers maintained their attacking momentum, resulting in a penalty kick opportunity. Ganser calmly stepped up and slotted home the penalty, marking his first goal of the season. Defensively, Gonzalo Onrubia was prominent in goal, making crucial saves against Howard's attempts as the half concluded 1-0. 
 
The Lakers capitalized on their momentum in the second half, beginning with sustained offensive pressure. In the 60th minute, Jackson-Tyus thought he had his first goal, but the offside flag went up and called it off. Just seven minutes later, Aiden Williams McCracken scored an audacious chip over the Howard keeper. However, this was disallowed due to another offside call. In the 79th minute, Alvar Silva played a ball into the foot of Mrvcic. Mrvcic dribbled around a defender, took his space, and struck the ball from over 20 yards out. The ball bounced over the keeper's hands and into the back of the net to double the Laker's advantage. The Lakers continued to press and earned a second penalty kick in the 87th minute. Ganser stepped up again and calmly scored his second of the game. Howard tried to get one back in the dying minutes, but the Lakers prevailed and picked up their first win of the season 3-0. This was the their fourth shutout of the season.
 
The Lakers will host Stonehill next Sunday, Oct. 12 with kickoff set for 1:00 p.m.