ERIE, Pa. (Oct. 25) – The California University of Pennsylvania men's soccer team was unable to overcome two early goals on Wednesday afternoon and dropped a 2-1 contest at Mercyhurst in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) action.

With the loss, the Vulcans fall to 2-13 overall behind a 2-8 mark in league play. Meanwhile, the Lakers earned their fifth-straight victory to improve to 12-4 this season with an 8-2 record in conference action.

Mercyhurst took a 1-0 lead in the fourth minute when Connor Wilkinson flicked the ball over the goalkeeper off a thru ball by Christopher Makengo. The Lakers added to their lead at the 15:45-mark on a header by Andrew Bennett following a corner kick by Wilkinson. Mercyhurst entered halftime with a 2-0 lead after both teams placed three shots on goal in the first period.

Each team was issued a yellow cared in the opening 10 minutes of the second half. The Vulcans trimmed the deficit to 2-1 in the 68th minute when junior Eric Campbell (Erie, Pa./Harbor Creek) scored on a header for his team-leading fifth goal of the season. Cal U was unable to place another shot attempt on goal in the final 20-plus minutes of the contest.

Junior goalkeeper Lucas Exner (Horstmar, Germany/Pascal-Gymnasium) tallied eight saves while playing all 90 minutes in the losing effort.

The Lakers finished with a 23-7 shot advantage after recording 15 shots in the second half. Mercyhurst also posted a 6-4 edge in corner kicks.

Cal U closes out the season on Saturday, Oct. 28, when it travels to face Lock Haven in PSAC play at 2:30 p.m.