CALIFORNIA (Oct. 6) – The California University of Pennsylvania women's soccer team tied the score late in the first half before dropping a 2-1 contest against Mercyhurst in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West action on Wednesday evening.

With the loss, the Vulcans fall to 1-8-0 this season with a 1-7-0 mark in divisional action. Meanwhile, the Lakers improve to 6-3-1 overall with a 5-2-1 mark in league play.

Mercyhurst pressured the net with five shots in a span of 10 minutes early in the contest before Cal U tallied its first shot in the 13th minute. The Lakers took a 1-0 lead in the 22nd minute when Amber Thomas was able to beat the goalkeeper in the top right corner of the net with an assist from Bethany O'Donnell. Mercyhurst continued to attack the net by tallying six more shots, three of which were saved by freshman goalkeeper Emily Ouimet (Berwick, Pa./Berwick). The Vulcans were able to tie the score at the 34:35-mark when freshman Ashley Venezia (Pittsburgh, Pa./Shaler) put a header into the bottom left corner of the net off a free kick by Cora Wilkins (Zanesville, Ohio/John Glenn), 1-1.

In the second half, Mercyhurst collected five shots and three corner kicks before reclaiming the lead in the 69th minute. Emily Mijares took a cross from Taryn Baxter and beat the goalie to the left side to give the Lakers a 2-1 lead. The Vulcans threatened to tie the score once again at the 75:08-mark on a shot by junior Juliana Cruz (Williamsport, Pa./Loyalsock Township), but it just sailed left of the goal.

Ouimet finished with 10 saves, her third double-digit performance of the season, while playing all 90 minutes of action on Wednesday night.

Mercyhurst posted a 21-4 shot advantage, including a 12-3 edge in shots on goal, and held an 8-0 lead in corner kicks.

The Vulcans are back in action on Saturday, Oct. 9, when they travel to face IUP in divisional play at 1:30 p.m.