Sept. 6, 2006

Stats

Erie, Pa. - The Mercyhurst men's soccer team made it clear Wednesday that the phrase "defending champions" means little in 2006. The Lakers dominated defending GLIAC champion Ashland University from wire-to-wire on the way to a 3-0 victory over the Eagles in the conference opener for both schools.

In improving to 3-1 on the season, Mercyhurst held a 25-10 advantage in shots and a 10-2 edge in shots on goal. Ashland, which falls to 0-3-1, was unable to put much pressure on Laker keeper Daniel Mudd, who now has back-to-back shutouts after the team posted a lockdown defensive effort against Division II No. 12 Rockhurst Sunday.

While Mercyhurst controlled the field of play during the first half, the Lakers only broke through one time as Tyler Emerick scored a goal, his first of the year, that seemed to come out of nowhere less than nine minutes into the action. His floater sailed over Ashland keeper Greg Habib, who was out of the goal mouth, from about 20 yards out and fell neatly into the net to put the Lakers ahead 1-0. Jason Pedra was credited with the assist.

In the second half, it looked as if Mercyhurst would be content with the 1-0 victory until Dan Young fired a 30-yard bullet that beat Ashland back-up goalkeeper Blaize Lishewski to make the score 2-0. Kurt Young would add his third goal in the past two matches five minutes later that sealed the scoring. Kyle Jackson assisted on both of the final two goals.

Mercyhurst has now won two consecutive matches and will look to move to 2-0 in the GLIAC Sunday. The Lakers host Findlay at 2 p.m. at Mercyhurst Soccer Field.