ERIE, Pa. (Apr. 12, 2008) – The Mercyhurst men's lacrosse team, ranked No. 10 in the country, used a stifling defensive effort to upset No. 4 C.W. Post 8-1 Saturday in East Coast Conference play. The Lakers extended their home winning streak to eight games behind a career-high 17 saves from goalkeeper Jason LaShomb.

The defensive pressure gave C.W. Post fits all day and the Pioneers were only able to complete 13-of-21 clear attempts. Mercyhurst, on the other hand, finished 22 of its 25 clears and picked up 30 ground balls to C.W. Post's 26.

C.W. Post actually got on the scoreboard first as Rob Renetta tallied the only goal of the first period just three minutes into the quarter. Mercyhurst opened the second quarter with goals from Ryan Arnold and Scott Sullivan to take a 2-1 halftime lead.

The Lakers built momentum in the third period as Tyler Burton, Aaron Manzer, and Arnold each scored a goal apiece to create a 5-1 goal advantage going into the final quarter. Mercyhurst's steady offense in the fourth period saw goals from Jordan Witt, Mike Bartlett, and Burton. Six different players scored for the Lakers and six of their goals came off of assists.

Burton and Arnold finished with two goals a piece, while Bartlett and Manzer each tallied one. Trevor Rice dished out a team-high two assists and Mike Thon, Witt, Sullivan and Michael Sciulli contributed one assist each.

C.W. Post's Greg Cerar, who entered the game ranked third in the country in goals and fourth in points, was held scoreless as Mercyhurst defender Matt Spahr kept him in check. The Laker defensive unit has allowed just on goal over the past six quarters.

Mercyhurst keeps its hopes of a conference championship and Division II playoff berth alive with the win, improving to 6-3 overall and 3-1 in the ECC. C.W. Post drops to 8-3 on the season and 1-2 in conference play. The Lakers will try to extend their four-game winning streak Wednesday when they host Wheeling Jesuit at 4:00 p.m.

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ERIE, Pa. (Apr. 12, 2008) – Trailing 1-0 after the first period, No. 8 Mercyhurst College came from behind to score eight unanswered goals and defeat No. 4 C.W. Post, 8-1, in an East Coast Conference men's lacrosse contest Saturday afternoon.

Mercyhurst improves its record to 6-3 overall and 3-1 in the conference while the Pioneers fall to 8-3 overall and 1-2 in conference play.

The Pioneers scored the game's first goal in the first period from senior attacker Rob Renetta (East Syracuse, N.Y.) with sophomore attacker Matt Merritt (Long Beach, N.Y.) with 12:02 on the clock.

The Lakers tied the game in the second period when junior midfielder Ryan Arnold scored an unassisted goal at 8:03. Mercyhurst took the lead minutes later when senior midfielder Scott Sullivan scored his fifth goal of the season on an assist by Mike Thon.

In the second half, the Lakers broke the game open with three tallies in each of the third and fourth periods, including two goals from sophomore midfielder Tyler Burton.

Mercyhurst completed the game outshooting C.W. Post by a 39-30 margin and held a 30-26 advantage in ground balls.

Junior goaltender Jason LaShomb made 17 saves on 30 shots faced to improve his record to 6-3. Junior Daniel Sciulla (Merrick, N.Y.) made 12 stops on 39 shots faced.

C.W. Post will continue conference play on the road at Molloy College on Apr. 19 at 1:00 p.m.

2008-04-12