Emily Esser gave Pitt-Johnstown the early lead on a penalty kick goal, but Mercyhurst scored a pair of unanswered goals to hold off the Mountain Cats for a 2-1 PSAC Western Division victory, Saturday afternoon at the Pitt-Johnstown Soccer Field. The Mountain Cats dropped to 4-10-1 overall and 3-9-1 in conference-play.
Pitt-Johnstown jumped out to a 1-0 lead on Esser's penalty kick 7:29 into the match, but Mercyhurst came back to knot it at one at the half on a Safia Paraiso goal in the 37
th minute.
Then, nine minutes into the second half, Emily Mijares scored to put the Lakers on top with what proved to be the match winner.
Sachi Negri took the loss in goal for the Mountain Cats facing 13 Mercyhurst shots and allowing two goals. Negri also made six saves.
Mercyhurst goalkeeper Maddie Elbro saw 11 shots from the Mountain Cats, made four saves, and surrendered one goal to help the Lakers improve to 9-4-1 overall and 8-3-1 in the PSAC West.
Pitt-Johnstown will host a PSAC match against IUP in the 2021 home finale on Wednesday at 4 p.m. at the Pitt-Johnstown Soccer Field.