The Lakers’ men’s soccer team is dominating on the field and still looking to further improve their game.

The guys hold strong at second in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference and are in good position despite an extremely tough loss this past Tuesday to Slippery Rock University.

The Lakers went into the game 6-1. The Rocks entered the tussle 7-1.

With two very competitive records, the game couldn’t have been expected to be anything less than competitive itself. Despite their hard work, Mercyhurst College fell to Slippery Rock 2-1.

“We didn’t take our chances when they came through and that was the difference in the end,” said junior Billy Colton.

Mercyhurst controlled a majority of the possession in the midfield throughout the game.

“Keeping up our hard play, things will look very promising, as it has already been a good start. Not only have we been winning, but we’ve been playing well and dominating teams,” said Colton.

The loss means the Lakers will have to continue to work hard to stay on track.

”The two defeats [this season] have obviously been disappointing, but we have to look at the positives. One of them is that everybody is contributing, it’s been a real squad effort so far, and we will look to continue that throughout the rest of the season,” Colton said.

The Lakers were able to get back on track Saturday against Molloy College.

Despite the wind, rain and physical style of play, Mercyhurst was able to take the advantage over Molloy, winning, 2-1.

Senior Nick Thompson knocked in both goals.

The win improved the Laker’s record to 7-2, winning their seventh straight home game this season.

Thompson scored at least one goal in all seven home victories.

The last time the Lakers won seven straight at home was in 2004, when the team went 7-0 at home for the season and had a 14-3-2 overall record.

Mercyhurst hosts Erie rival Gannon University Knights Wednesday, Sept. 30 at 4 p.m., gunning for their eighth straight win at home.

“If we carry on like we have been, then we should be making a real run at winning the PSAC and then going as far as possible in the NCAA’s,” Colton said.