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CALIFORNIA (Nov. 5) – Behind goals by five different players, the No. 7 and top-seeded Vulcans cruised to a 5-0 victory over eighth-seeded Mercyhurst on Tuesday afternoon in the quarterfinals of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Tournament.

With the win, the California University of Pennsylvania women's soccer team extended its winning streak to 16 games and improved to 16-2-1 overall. The Vulcans also secured hosting rights for the remainder of the PSAC Tournament, which resumes with the semifinals on Friday, Nov. 8. Meanwhile, the Lakers finish the year with a 9-9-1 mark.

The Vulcans jumped out to a quick lead in the fifth minute when junior Chelsea Crockett (Gilmanton, N.H./Gilford) scored off a pass from classmate Megan Politowski (Pittsburgh, Pa./Baldwin) following a failed clear attempt by the Lakers. Cal U added to the lead less than 10 minutes later when senior Kelsey Russo (Pittsburgh, Pa./Fox Chapel) tallied a goal with assists by Erin Hogan (Beaver, Pa./Beaver) and Crockett. Politowski recorded a goal in the 44th minute off a rebound following a corner kick by junior Jordan Gray (Whitby, Ontario/Sinclair Secondary).

Less than six minutes into the second half, junior Haley Henderson (Pickering, Ontario/Dunbarton) tallied her team-leading ninth goal of the season on a breakaway. Cal U closed the scoring at the 65:22-mark when junior Bethany Smyda (Irwin, Pa./Penn-Trafford) posted an unassisted goal after causing a turnover at midfield.

Freshman goalkeeper Meghan Jayes (New Albany, Ohio/New Albany) recorded her fifth shutout of the year after making four saves on Tuesday. The Vulcans out-shot the Lakers by a 26-7 margin, including 15 shots on goal, and finished with a dominating 13-2 advantage in corner kicks.

Cal U will host fifth-seeded Shippensburg in the semifinals on Friday with time still to be determined. The Raiders advanced in the tournament after winning 4-3 at Edinboro in penalty kicks after the game remained scoreless through double overtime.