CLEVELAND, Ohio — Mercyhurst (1-2-0) secured a 2-1 victory over Cleveland State University (0-2-0) on Friday evening at Krenzler Field. The Lakers' offense capitalized in the second half, scoring both of its goals to overcome the host team's lone goal. This win is particularly special for Mercyhurst, marking an echo of their first Division One victory against the same team, Cleveland State, back in 2024, which was also their inaugural season at this competitive level. That historic season saw them crowned as the NEC regular season champions.
The first half commenced with Mercyhurst applying consistent offensive pressure, notching multiple attempts on goal. Luis Felipe Santos and Jacob Anderson both tested Cleveland State's goalkeeper, but he managed to keep the net intact with crucial saves.
The Lakers' defense, led by Jaime Tedaldi, also played a pivotal role by denying Cleveland State's advances, including key saves against Cleveland State's attackers. As the half concluded, the score remained level at 0-0, with both teams unable to capitalize on their chances.
The second half opened with Cleveland State taking an early lead when a Cleveland State player found the net in the 51st minute. The Lakers responded with determination, as Santiago Bustamante and Santiago Giraldo each tested the Cleveland State goalkeeper with attempts on goal. Despite these efforts, the score remained 1-0 in favor of Cleveland State until the 75th minute.
Mercyhurst leveled the match when Benjamin Buckley notched his first goal of the season from a Ronny Wakelin assist, tying the game at 1-1. The momentum shifted further in Mercyhurst's favor as Alvar Silva scored in the 88th minute, assisted by Harrison Dudley and Max Beech, giving Mercyhurst a 2-1 lead. The half concluded with Mercyhurst maintaining its advantage, securing a 2-1 victory.
Up next, the Lakers' return to Erie to take on Detroit Mercy on September 1st at 4 p.m.
