ERIE, Pa. – Riding the momentum from the 3-2 double overtime win against nationally ranked Tiffin this past week, the Black and Gold kept things going by knocking off another top twenty opponent. This time is was at No.12 Mercyhurst, where on Wednesday, September 18, ODU sparkled on both ends of the field, as the No. 23 Panthers shutout the Lakers 2-0.

The Panthers are now 3-0-1 while the Lakers fell to 3-2.

At the 21:32 mark of the first half, junior Frazer Fernandes (Gahanna, Ohio) broke free of the Laker defense after a go ahead pass from senior Billy McGlone (Lexington, Ohio) and fired a shot into the left corner for Fernandes's second goal of the season.

Less than eight minutes later, junior Jakob Szabo (Worthington, Ohio) extended the Panthers' lead 2-0, on a pass from junior GJ Cook (Westerville, Ohio). The ball found the foot of Szabo, who connected for his first goal of the season.

Despite outshooting the Panthers 12-7, the Lakers managed just one shot on target compared to ODU's four in the first half.

The defense continued its inspired play in the second half and stifled every Laker break.

While Mercyhurst totaled 25 shots compared to the Panthers 10, the 2-0 lead was never in jeopardy. ODU only yielded five shots on goal with sophomore keeper Justin Alexander (Reynoldsburg, Ohio) picking up his first career win.

The two goals are the most the Lakers have allowed in the 2013 season.

Next up for ODU is a trip to Painesville, Ohio for a conference match-up against Lake Erie on Sunday, Sept. 22. The game is scheduled to kick off at 2 p.m.

Contact: Sarah Twiggs
twiggss@ohiodominican.edu