Men’s soccer has made Hurst history

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Megan Mckay, Staff writer

Over the weekend, the Mercyhurst men’s soccer team made program history. The Lakers hosted the University of Pitt Johnstown for senior day.

The Lakers defeated the Mountain Cats 10-0 which kept them undefeated at 15-0-1 on the year. This win set the program record for most consecutive wins to begin a season without a loss. Mercyhurst not only sits atop the PSAC West standings, but also clinches the title. Additionally the Lakers have been ranked number two in the nation. Mercyhurst not only outshot Pitt Johnstown 15-4 on goal, but also had three hat-tricks scored in the match.

Mercyhurst wasted no time setting the tone against Pitt with sophomore forward Frank Lovett getting his first goal of the season. Sophomore Sean Kerrigan buried his 15th goal of the year and Lovett followed him up with his second score. Kerrigan and sophomore Erik Cederberg eventually added two more to make it a 5-0 game in the first half.

In the second half Lovett did not back down as the Plymouth, England native scored his third to earn his first career hat-trick. Kerrigan also made his third score to earn a hat-trick too. The duo made program history with their hat-tricks and Kerrigan became the first player to have two in a week. He recorded one last Wednesday against Seton Hall.

The Lakers did not stop at seven goals as sophomore forward Riley Kutschbach scored his first collegiate goal as well. The Pittsburgh native then added on two more to earn his first collegiate hat-trick and becoming the first player in history to record a hat-trick in one half.

Kutschbach described the feeing of scoring his first collegiate goal and making history with his hat-trick saying,

“It felt great to go out and get my first goal. The other two just came naturally,” said Kutschbach.

“I just did my job. As for the record, I think it’s very cool. Again, I was just doing my job.”

The Lakers have two remaining games in their season and Kutschbach described the team’s mindset,

“Sitting at 15-0-1, our team is looking forward to being a solid unit and to continue racking up the wins.”

Kutschbach and the Lakers like to follow Ken Kessey, the famous novelist’s quote,

“You’re either on the bus or off the bus.”

He describes the importance of being all in as a team especially as the team makes its upcoming playoff push. The Lakers not only celebrated certain players making history and earning a double digit result for the first time since 2019 but more importantly the team honored their seniors.

The Lakers honored defenseman Martin Gryzwa from Mississauga, ON, midfielder/forward Tom Barry from Middlesbrough, ENG, and goalkeeper Ethan Kinyo from Reading, PA. The three seniors alongside graduate-student Jonathan Gomes from Broward County, FL, have helped the Lakers solidify themselves as one of the top teams in Division II.

Gomes has been the backbone of the Lakers having only let in one goal in 15 games and was recently named athlete of the week. The team was named to the NCAA DII Regional Rankings, landing in Super Region 1, announced the NCAA.

The Lakers will play their remaining two matches of the regular season on Wednesday ,Oct. 26 at 7:30 at home versus Gannon and Saturday, Oct. 29 at noon away versus Slippery Rock.