ERIE, Pa. (Oct. 15) – The Vulcans suffered a 2-0 loss at Mercyhurst after the Lakers scored a pair of first-half goals in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West play on Saturday afternoon.

With the loss, the California (PA) women's soccer team falls to 4-7-2 overall behind a 4-6-2 mark in league action. Meanwhile, the Lakers improve to 9-2-4 with an 8-1-4 record in conference contests.

Mercyhurst applied early pressure as it tallied a pair of shot attempts within the initial two minutes of the game. The Lakers recorded a corner kick at the 8:25-mark followed by a shot at the 9:57-mark that sailed high of the net. Cal answered with a shot on goal by senior Juliana Cruz (Williamsport, Pa./Loyalsock Township) in the 12th minute. Mercyhurst notched its first goal of the game at the 28:58-mark from Erika Yancey. The Vulcans notched a shot on net by senior Lindsie Galbreath (Saxonburg, Pa./Knoch) in the 33rd minute. Four minutes later, the Lakers took a 2-0 lead when Lancey connected with her second goal of the game,

The Lakers stayed aggressive in the second half, as they posted three corner kicks in a minute followed by a pair of shots and a corner kick in the 55th minute. Sophomore Joelle Jenkins (Monroeville, Pa./Gateway) registered a shot on goal at the 66:43-mark that was saved by the Mercyhurst goalkeeper. Freshman Soraya Gibbs (Munhall, Pa./Steel Valley) recorded a shot on goal in the 87th minute, but Cal was unable to cut into the deficit.

Sophomore goalkeeper Emily Ouimet (Berwick, Pa./Berwick) collected a season-high nine saves while playing all 90 minutes.

Mercyhurst out-shot Cal by an 18-4 margin and also held a 12-1 edge in corner kicks

The Vulcans return to action on Wednesday, Oct. 19, as they travel to face Slippery Rock in PSAC West play at 4 p.m.