WEST HAVEN, Conn. – The Mercyhurst men's soccer team traveled to New Haven today for the first-ever matchup between the two. The Lakers needed a few teams to lose, and they needed to win in order of increasing their chances of postseason qualification. The match was 0-0 at halftime, with everything to play for. In the dying embers of the match, the Chargers netted a late winner to spoil the Laker's postseason chances. 
 
The match began with Mercyhurst (3-10-4, 3-5-1 NEC) applying early pressure, as Angelo Ginocchi's shot in the 7th minute was saved by New Haven's goalkeeper. Alvar Silva also challenged the Charger's with two attempts, but both were stopped. New Haven (5-5-6, 3-3-3 NEC) had set themselves up for success defensively, intercepting and blocking several shots and passes. The Lakers' defense, led by goalkeeper Gonzalo Onrubia, remained solid, denying the Charger's scoring opportunities, including a notable save in the 31st minute. Despite multiple fouls, the Lakers managed to create several chances, with Ben Conti and Santiago Giraldo each taking shots that narrowly missed the target. The first half concluded with neither team able to break the deadlock, 0-0.
 
The second half began with the Lakers applying significant offensive pressure, highlighted by multiple shot attempts from Santiago Bustamante and Silva in the early stages. The Lakers earned several corner kicks, maintaining their attacking momentum throughout the half. Despite the aggressive play from the Lakers, the Charger defense held firm. With less than five minutes to play, the Chargers netted a late match-winner that ultimately sealed the game. The Lakers continued to push for an equalizer but were unable to find one. New Haven held on and handed the Lakers a 1-0 loss.