Football starts season with two wins

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Christina Judy, Contributing writer

In a 49-7 win over Lock Haven University, the Laker football team advanced their overall record to 2-0 on the road this past weekend on Saturday, Sept. 10. The Lakers also defended their record against the Bald Eagles as this win gave them an 8-0 clean sheet all-time over them.

Building a monstrously strong momentum, the Lakers out-scored Lock Haven 43-0 in the second half to secure the win. Contrary to the resulting score of the game, the first few minutes actually belonged to the Bald Eagles as they scored early on. Laker linebacker Jacob Holl shut them down on their first scoring drive with an interception. However, the Lakers could not capitalize as their punt was blocked, which gave the Bald Eagles an ideal position just two yards from the goal line.

The Lock Haven quarterback took advantage of this field positioning as he ran the ball in for a touchdown, putting his team up 7-0 in the first period. Responding with two field goals and solidifying their defense, the Lakers closed the half, down by only one point. The defensive turning point was led by defensive back John Allen, when he blocked a Bald Eagle field goal early in the second period.

Graduate kicker Brian Alsobrooks sent two field goals through the goal posts, which put six points on the board for the Lakers going into halftime. One of which was a 39-yard kick. The Lakers came out of the locker room for the second half with a fiery flare as they scored on their opening drive in the third quarter. Trudging through 69-yards of the field in 10 plays, redshirt junior running back Dustin Shoaf found the end zone with a run up the middle.

Mercyhurst’s two-point conversion attempt was successful as senior quarterback Michael Lowery connected to Diondre Cooper to give the Lakers a 14-7 lead. With this growing energy and grit, Shoaf ran the ball five yards to record his second touchdown of the night and gave the Lakers a 21-7 lead.

At the end of the third quarter, junior wide receiver Trevon Tate reeled in a 24-yard pass from Lowery, advancing the lead to 28-7. After seeing all the offensive fun, the Lakers defensive team wanted in on the action. Junior linebacker Dillon Ferretti secured a pick six at the end of the third to extend their Lakers lead to 35-7.

The Lakers did not let up in the fourth quarter as they scored a pair of touchdowns. Freshman Jaylen Butera, made his presence known as he scored his first collegiate touchdown on a five-yard rush, extending their lead to 42-7.

Running back Ayron Rodriguez scored the final touchdown of the game from a nine-yard run leaving the ending score at a dominating 49-7. Football Head Coach Ryan Rie-medio became the first coach in Mercyhurst history to have won his first two career games on the road.

The Lakers were awarded 94 points between their two wins, which is the most points they have had to begin their season. The Lakers hope to continue with this success as they will host Kutztown University on Saturday, Sept. 17, at noon in their home opener for the season.