ERIE, PA. -- Mercyhurst defeated California (Pa.) 19-6 and 20-12 on Friday, improving its record to 6-4.
 
Game 1 (19-6, W)
The Lakers' offense was led by two passing and one rushing touchdown from quarterback Ellie Schau.
 
The first quarter began with the Vulcans in possession, but the Lakers immediately forced a turnover with Isabella Iaquinta intercepting a pass from the Vulcans. Mercyhurst capitalized quickly, with Schau connecting with God'iss Santos for a 4-yard touchdown pass at the 11:32 mark. Schau then successfully rushed for the extra point.
 
Later in the quarter, Schau completed a 22-yard pass to Iaquinta, advancing the Green and Blue to the Cal22, setting the tone for a strong offensive showing.
 
The Lakers capitalized on a strong defensive play to extend their lead in the second quarter. Cameryn Mullaly intercepted a pass from the Vulcans' Alana Eberhardt at the Cal 24 and returned it 19 yards, setting up a short field for the offense.
 
Schau then connected with Iaquinta on a 1-yard touchdown pass at 9:03. Despite a missed conversion attempt, the home team maintained control. Cal struggled offensively, highlighted by a sack from Milana Starostina and a significant 18-yard loss on a rush by Kryslynn Jones, both of which hindered its progress.
 
Mercyhurst struggled to find momentum in the third quarter, with Schau completing a pass to Mullaly for a brief loss and a subsequent completion to Iaquinta for 9 yards. The defensive effort by Cal's Mitchell Turner halted further progress, and the drive ended without scoring. Cal took advantage of a penalty on the Lakers, which moved them closer to the end zone. Eberhardt connected with Jones for a 31-yard touchdown at 5:45, narrowing the deficit. The extra point attempt was unsuccessful, leaving Cal with a 6-point quarter.
 
The Lakers were victorious in game one, 19-6. Schau completed 22-of-33 passes for 147 yards. Alexis Summers and Kyra Virginia led the way defensively with four flag pulls apiece.
 
Game 2 (20-12, Win)
The Lakers' defense was pivotal in game two, securing three interceptions, contributing to their victory.
 
The game commenced with California (Pa.) starting at its own 14-yard line, but Katherine Johnson made an immediate impact for the Green and Blue by pulling Kryslynn Jones' flag for a 3-yard loss.
 
Santos set up the Lakers in good field position, returning Cal's punt 16 yards to the Cal 33. Schau strung together a few passes, ultimately leading to her two yard rushing touchdown, putting the Lakers up 7-0.
 
Cal seized momentum as Mitchell Turner broke free for a 53-yard touchdown run, although the extra point attempt failed. The Lakers then capitalized on an interception by God'iss Santos, but the drive was stalled by a false start penalty, closing the first quarter with the Lakers leading 7-6.
 
The second quarter was marked by strong defensive efforts from the Lakers, highlighted by Summers' key flag pulls. Early in the period, Schau connected with Summers for a short gain, but Cal took over on downs shortly afterward.
 
The Vulcans struggled offensively, with Alana Eberhardt completing a 12-yard pass to Kimaya Williams, but ultimately faced defensive stops, including a significant flag pull by Iaquinta. Later, Noel Hawes suffered a substantial 42-yard loss on a rush, flagged by Alexis Summers, emphasizing Mercyhurst's defensive control.
 
During the third quarter, Cal capitalized on a strong defensive showing by Madee Fischer, who achieved a QB flag pull on Schau for a 7-yard loss at the start. Mercyhurst's subsequent drive was halted due to an illegal block penalty, allowing Cal to take over possession. Alana Eberhardt connected with Kimaya Williams for a 19-yard gain, overcoming an earlier false start penalty. However, Iaquinta's interception of an Eberhardt pass at the Hurst 7 halted Cal's momentum. As the quarter progressed, Schau's 11-yard completion to Iaquinta briefly advanced the Lakers, but the drive ended scoreless, maintaining the tight contest.
 
The Lakers secured a victory over the Vulcans with a strong fourth quarter. Early in the period, Maria Osagie-Erese scored a 1-yard touchdown rush at 12:50, following a series of precise passes from Schau to Summers and Saad. Schau then completed a successful pass attempt to extend the lead.
 
Cal attempted to respond with a long 42-yard pass from Alana Eberhardt to Kimaya Williams, but their drive stalled after a determined defensive effort by the Lakers. Despite a late interception by Cal, Mercyhurst's defense held firm, ensuring the win.