ERIE, Pa. – The Mercyhurst College women's soccer team concluded the 2011 season with a 7-10-1 overall record and barely missed out on the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference playoffs after posting a 4-9-1 showing against conference opponents.

The Lakers started the season strong winning four of its first five matches and two of its first three PSAC games.  Mercyhurst combined to score 10 goals in its first two games against West Virginia Tech and Davis & Elkins which ranks fourth in program history.  The Lakers continued their strong play out of the gate as they netted 11 last season.
The Lakers shutout three opponents this season, two consecutively as they picked up wins against Mansfield University and Clarion University.

At 2-2 in conference play the Lakers hosted Slippery Rock University in what was an important early season matchup.  But at the 72:26 minute mark mother nature came into play delaying the game and eventually ending the match.  The teams played in enough minutes to rule the match a complete game, ending the battle in a 0-0 draw, the only tie of the season for the Lakers.

From there the Lakers would convincingly win their next but soon faced a five-game skid.  The Lakers rallied late in the season with a wins against Millersville University and Lock Haven University putting them in position to make the PSAC playoffs with back-to-back wins against East Stroudsburg University and cross-town rival Gannon University.  Mercyhurst came up short in their efforts losing both matches to end the 2011 campaign. 

Senior Molly Marsh led the team in scoring with six goals followed by sophomore Aina Torres who netted five on the year.  Freshman Kiley Cleveland joined Marsh in leading the team in assists with three.  Marsh, Torres and junior Sara Hawksworth all recorded two-gamewinners.

From the defensive standpoint, seniors Megan Macko and Renai Medeiros combined to continually turn away the offensive charge from the opponents.  Macko, a four year starter and Medeiros, a three year starter both graduate this year but the youth of the Lakers looks to fill in. 

Freshman Janine Wong played in all 18 matches for the Lakers this season starting in 14, while freshman counterpart Emily Leiby played in 16 games and started in 13.  Maire Dunning is also part of the freshman class and played in 17 games this season for head coach Keith Cammidge.  Sophomore's Perrin Kern and Emily Adamski also look to add experience at the defensive position.  Kern who started all 17 matches in 2010 started in 12 this season after playing in 13 games. 

The Lakers will return 16 players to the pitch, 11 of which have starting experience.   

The video was contributed by Dan Becker.