ERIE, Pa – Two goals by Mercyhurst women's soccer team were not enough to secure a win Thursday against Niagara. The Lakers fell short as the Purple Eagles won 3-2.
The first half presented an even match up between the Lakers and the Purple Eagles. Both teams struggled to find their footing in the first 10 minutes. Niagara found the first shot on goal in the 11th minute.
Fiona Fraser found the Lakers first shot on goal in the 29th minute.
Rylee Kumer came up big in the 35th minute of the match, making a high diving save to put a Niagara shot over the crossbar. Kumer made four saves in the first half to keep the score tied at zero going into the break.
The second half called for a lot of action between the Lakers and the Purple Eagles with five goals being scored in the half. Mercyhurst struck first with a goal from
Madison Sievering coming three minutes after the whistle. Niagara did not take long to strike back, evening the playing field in the 54th minute.
Niagara took the lead 10 minutes later with two back-to-back goals, leaving the Lakers down by two. This did not stop the Lakers as they looked to equalize. Freshman
Camryn Klein found the first goal of her career off a free kick in the 90th minute. Strong efforts in the last minute were not enough for the Lakers to level the score.
Kumer finished the match with seven saves. The Lakers tallied nine shots, five being on target. Niagara won the corner kick battle 5-1.
The Lakers will start their road trip series at Kentucky Sept. 4. They will not be home again until Sept. 28.
