GANNON GOLDEN KNIGHTS (6-2-2, 6-2-2 PSAC West) at MERCYHURST LAKERS (7-3-1, 6-2-1 PSAC West)
DATE/TIME: Saturday, October 16, 2021 | 4:00 p.m.
STADIUM/LOCATION: Saxon Stadium l Erie, Pa.
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THE GANNON-MERCYHURST SERIES
Mercyhurst leads 25-8-5 all-time: .724 winning percentage
First meeting: 1989
Last meeting: Sept. 15, 2021 – Gannon 0, Mercyhurst 0 (2 OT) | RECAP
 
ERIE, Pa. – The Gannon University women's soccer team (6-2-2 overall, 6-2-2 PSAC) has won five of its last six matches and travels to Mercyhurst (7-3-1 overall, 6-2-1 PSAC) to face the Lakers for the second time this season. The two teams played to a 0-0 draw after two overtimes back on Sept. 15, the third consecutive time the two institutions have gone the distance to end in a tie. Both exhibition matches in the spring of 2021 were also draws (1-1 and 0-0.)
 
The Golden Knights have climbed to second place in the PSAC West standings with a season total of 20 points, just two behind first-place Slippery Rock (22) and one point above the 19 of Mercyhurst and Indiana (Pa.) The cluster of quality teams in the West also includes Edinboro (18 points), which was ranked as highly as No. 11 in the nation prior to Gannon defeating the Fighting Scots 3-2 in overtime back on Sept. 25.
 
The all-time head-to-head matchup leans toward Mercyhurst, 25-8-5, and Gannon's last victory over the Lakers was on Oct. 19, 2019—a 3-1 result on senior night at McConnell Family Stadium. The Knights' offense has been ramping up in the last six games, scoring at least two goals in each victory and 13 goals total. Seven different players have scored for Gannon this fall, led by Taylor Lewis' (Erie, Pa./Harbor Creek) five goals and two assists. Gabby Boden (Butler, Pa./Butler) and Sarah Fails (Girard, Pa./Villa Maria) each have added three goals and one assist, while Kayla Bevacqua (Welland, Ontario/Notre Dame) has chipped in with two goals and two assists.
 
Mercyhurst enters the weekend on a bit of a streak of its own, claiming victories in the last four matches (and six of the last seven.) Sophomore Emily Mijares leads the Lakers with five goals and an assist, while a trio of other players—Karah Van Horn, Lauren Casey, and Amber Thomas—have each booted home three goals apiece. Sophomore goalkeeper Maddie Elbro has started all 11 games in net and is ranked in the top five in the conference in goals-against-average (.692, fourth), save percentage (.849, fourth) and shutouts (four, tied for fourth.)
 
Following Saturday's rivalry action, Gannon travels to IUP on Wednesday, Oct. 20. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:00 p.m.