Men’s soccer PSAC western champs

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Mairead Stewart, Contributing writer

Some people may think of fall as a season for football, sometimes what is over looked is the other football… soccer. The Lakers soccer fanatics have been anything but relaxed this week.

Mercyhurst Men’s soccer wrapped up their season this past Saturday with a match against California University of Pennsylvania (Cal U.). The team had a slow start to their season and lost 3-0 in their first game to Seton Hill which the players described as a major wake up call. They turned things around with a consistent ten victories being added to their record including a win to Seton Hill and also winning the PSAC West Division.

The men went into the game with a record of 11 wins, three losses, and two ties.

“I expect another tough game, but I know that we can put in a good performance and have the quality to win. We just have to show it. Of course this game is important because we can win the league, but we have to do our jobs and the rest will come,” said senior forward, Sidney Warden before the final match.

“Yeah it’s a huge game, the biggest of the season as we know if we win then we win the PSAC. So it’s exciting, I’m confident we’ll take care of business,” said redshirt junior forward and midfielder, Tom Barry.

The game started at 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 6 with tensions high, but not as high as Cal U’s kicks. Several shots made by the Vulcan’s came close to the goal, but would unfortunately go soaring into the football post. Redshirt freshman goalie, Mattias Odelius, found humor in this by putting his arms up as if they were meaning to score a field goal.

After a hard 90 minutes, the Lakers sent Cal U. packing with a final score of 3-0. The final goal was scored by No. 7, freshman midfielder from Ireland, Sean Kerrigan.

“I love it here, the climate is very similar to where I came from therefore settling in has been easy, as all the lads on the team are great people too and basically my new family away from home. Everyone here is lovely and has made me feel at home since the day I arrived,” said Kerrigan.

After the buzzer, the team gathered together on the field for a celebratory embrace after all of their hard work. Now non soccer fanatics may ask what comes next for the men dressed in white and green?

Since they won the PSAC West, they will go straight into the semi finals Nov. 12 at 1 p.m. on home turf. Before that, Nov. 9 will be a match up against Westchester and Millersville to see who will take the quarter finals.