Mercea's Two Goals Lead Mountain Cats to First Victory

Johnstown, PA

Box Score

The Mountain Cats built a 3-0 second half lead behind two goals from Mike Mercea, then held off Goldey-Beacom (DE) College, 3-2, for their first win of the 2014 season, Wednesday afternoon at the Pitt-Johnstown Soccer Field. The Mountain Cats are now 1-5-0 on the year

Mercea gave the Mountain Cat an early 1-0 lead in the 11th minute when he finished a long pass from goalkeeper Nate Kleya.

Pitt-Johnstown made it 2-0 on Colin Michalski's goal off an assist from Jeremy Staffen in the 23rd minute, before Mercea's header from Erik Etter's throw-in eight minutes into the second half increased it to 3-0.

The Lightning battled back with a pair of goals from Luiz Ristow two minutes apart to cut it to 3-2 with 15 minutes to in regulation, but Pitt-Johnstown was able to hold on for the win.

Kleya earned his first collegiate win after facing 30 Goldey-Beacom shots and making eight saves. Adam Olander suffered the loss in goal for the Lightning after allowing all three goals. Olander saw 10 Pitt-Johnstown shots and made two saves.

With the loss, Goldey-Beacom fell to 3-4-0.

Pitt-Johnstown will host a Homecoming, non-conference match against Daemen (NY) College on Saturday at 3:30 p.m., before hosting a PSAC match against California University (PA) on Tuesday at 1:30 p.m.

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