Box Score

ERIE, Pa. – Senior Alex Manea scored his third goal of the game, with 49 seconds left, as Mercyhurst edged Millersville, 3-2 on Saturday afternoon.  Manea's hat trick advances the Lakers to the PSAC Championship match on Sunday against Slippery Rock. The Rock scored late to defeat West Chester 1-0 in the second semifinal game.. 
 
Manea scored two unanswered goals in the first half to give the Lakers the lead.  He scored his first goal of the match at 23:17 off a pass from freshmen Sten Marcson.  Eight minutes later, Manea scored his thirteenth goal of the season, and second of the match when sophomore Fernando Martinez led Manea with a through ball. 
 
The Lakers and the Marauders had nine shots each heading into the second half. 
 
Millersville was given its first opportunity to narrow Mercyhurst's lead when there was a penalty in the box.  Millersville Matt Kadoch took the penalty kick, and beat senior goaltender Diego Gustin to cut Mercyhurst's lead, 2-1.   Gustin later made an amazing save on a shot by Kadoch, but it was Andrew Dukes who tied the match at two at the 77:55 mark of the match. 
 
Manea completed his hat trick with 49 seconds left in the match.  Manea was given a through ball half way down the field, beat a defensemen and was one on one with goaltender Brad Benzing.  Manea made a fake move to give him a wide open net, and the game-winning goal for Mercyhurst.
 
Gustin improved to 12-5-1, making eight saves in 90:00 minutes of play.  Millersville's Benzing fell to 6-4-1, making six saves on nine shots.
 
Millersville outshot the Lakers 18 to 14, and had the edge in corners 1-0, but was unable to get the equalizer.  The Marauders finished their season 9-9-1 overall and 6-3-0 in the conference. 
 
The Lakers improved to 13-5-1 overall this season and 6-2-0 in the conference, and kept alive their chances to receive a bid to the NCAA tournament.  Mercyhurst will battle Slippery Rock University Sunday, November 4 at the Mercyhurst Soccer Field.  Kickoff is set for 12:00 p.m.
 
To view tournament details, including prices, recaps of Saturday's games, and directions to Mercyhurst, please click here.