CALIFORNIA (Oct. 12) – Despite a career-high 13 saves by sophomore Lucas Exner (Horstmar, Germany/Pascal-Gymnasium), the California University of Pennsylvania men's soccer team suffered a 3-1 loss to league-leading Mercyhurst on Wednesday night at the Phillipsburg Soccer Complex in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) action.

With the loss, the Vulcans fall to 7-4-1 overall behind a 3-3-1 mark in league play. Meanwhile, the Lakers extend their winning streak to four games and improve to 9-3-1 this season with a 7-1 record in conference action.

Exner recorded the most saves in a game in recent program history (since 2003) on Wednesday while facing Mercyhurst, which leads the PSAC with 2.67 goals per game. He is now tied for the league lead with 64 saves and ranks second with a 1.02 goals-against average while playing over 1,000 minutes. An All-PSAC First-Team selection last year, Exner has already registered double-digit saves three times in his career.

The Lakers took a 1-0 lead at the 11:38-mark when Michael Blancato scored on a header following a deflection by Jorge Gonzalez. Cal U answered less than five minutes later when freshman Antonio Simora (Erie, Pa./Cathedral Prep) registered his first career goal on a diving header with a pass from senior Cory Kuzilla (Harborcreek, Pa./Harbor Creek).

The score remained tied until the 64th minute when Mercyhurst took a 2-1 lead when Thom Derks, who ranks among the national leader in goals, scored his 14th goal of the season on through ball by Mark Roche. The Lakers added to their lead at the 83:16-mark when Miguel Navarrao scored from just outside the box following a cross on Jorge Fitzmaurice.

The Lakers finished with a 26-7 shot advantage after attempting double-digit shots in each period. The Lakers also posted a 4-2 edge in corner kicks on Wednesday.

Mercyhurst goalkeeper Alex Brems recorded a pair of saves while playing all 90 minutes.

Cal U returns to action on Saturday, Oct. 15, when it travels to face Gannon in Erie, Pennsylvania, at 5 p.m.