• Box Score

CALIFORNIA (Sept. 3) – The Vulcans scored a pair of second-half goals against divisional-newcomer and No. 21 Mercyhurst College on Wednesday at Roadman Park, however, the Lakers managed to escape with a 3-2 victory after scoring three goals in the first period.

With the decision, California University of Pennsylvania drops to 2-1 overall while Mercyhurst improves to 3-0. The contest also marked the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West opener for both teams, who are each ranked in the Top 10 of National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA)/adidas Atlantic Regional rankings.

The Lakers jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first 20 minutes of the game, including two goals by junior Taylor Hilinski. The Vulcans' defense then prevented Mercyhurst from adding to its lead in the opening period as the Lakers took only five total shots in the first 45 minutes.

In the second half, freshman forward Jodi McDonald (Ajax, Ontario/Ajax) tallied her second goal of the season at the 69:27-mark off an assist from classmate Sam Regney (Monaca, Pa./Monaca). In the 76th minute, Cal U trimmed the deficit to 3-2 when Regney posted a goal of her own with assists to freshmen Kristen Orrett (Pickering, Ontario/Pickering) and Chaning Wimer (Lititz, Pa./Manheim Township).

Senior goalkeeper Erin Cook (Pittsburgh, Pa./Penn Hills) finished with three saves in 90 minutes of action, while senior Rebecca Heintzman recorded four saves in net for the Lakers.

Mercyhurst barely out-shot Cal by a 13-12 margin, while holding a 6-2 advantage in corner kicks.

The Vulcans continue PSAC West play on Saturday, Sept. 6, when they travel to Erie, Pa., to face Gannon University, another divisional newcomer. The game is slated for 1 p.m. Vulcan fans can follow the game on-line via stats calculated by the Golden Knights at the following site: http://www.gannon.edu/sports/women/soccer/lstats/xlive.htm.