The Laker men’s soccer team traveled to Bloomfield, N.J. ,on Sept. 9 to face the Bloomfield College Deacons knowing that they had no choice but to win.

Losses to Tiffin University, Ashland University and University of DC gave the Lakers an 0-3 record heading into Bloomfield. Rough starts such as this can either make or break a team’s entire season. For the Lakers, losing their first three games gave them all the motivation they needed.

At the 16:03 mark of the first half, senior forward Alex Manea scored the first goal of the Lakers’ season against Bloomfield goalkeeper Kieran Moran. Eight powerful shots were registered in the first half by the Lakers. They wanted their first win, and they wanted it now.

Bloomfield only took five shots the entire game and none were on goal. There was no way the Lakers were going to let another team take a win away from them. Strong defense opened up incredible opportunity for the offense to let loose.

The Lakers generated seven shots in the second half and a total of five shots on goal for the game. Sophomore midfielder Fernando Martinez delivered three shots, two on goal, to lead the Lakers in shots. Martinez also contributed with an assist on the second goal of the game.

Additionally, junior defenseman Matt Campana rocketed his respective goal at the 7:40 mark of the second half. Two goals were all it took to seal the Lakers’ first win of the season.

Senior goalkeeper Diego Gustin faced no shots on goal in the Lakers’ shutout; his team had his back throughout the game.

The Lakers refused to lose after their rough start to the season. They are keeping it going, and showed no signs of stopping as they claimed another victory on Sept. 14 against the East Stroudsburgh University Warriors. The Lakers shutout the Warriors 2-0 with goals by senior midfielder Austin Solomon and senior forward Alex Manea.

After being shutout their first three games, they have delivered shutouts in two games since. The Lakers are on a hot streak and have already put the past far behind them.