Wingate, N.C. -- Mercyhurst (Pa.) College junior attack Michael Sciulli (Pittsburgh, Pa.) posted four goals and one assist to lead the number four Lakers to a 9-6 NCAA Division II men's lacrosse victory over Wingate University Saturday afternoon at Irwin Belk Stadium and John R. Martin Field on the Wingate campus.

The Lakers open their 2009 schedule with today's contest. Wingate falls to 0-3 overall. The Bulldogs have played the number three team (C.W. Post), the number one team (New York Tech) and the number four team (Mercyhurst) to open the 2009 campaign.

Sciulli put together a personal 3-0 run to turn a 3-2 Mercyhurst deficit into a 5-3 advantage. Sciulli's flurry spanned the second and third quarters. His first goal tied the contest at 3-3 with 9:53 to play in the second frame. Sciulli's third tally gave the Lakers a 5-3 lead at the 9:29 mark of the third quarter.

Wingate led 3-1 following a power play goal by senior attack Greg Williams (Woodbridge, Va.) with 3:01 remaining in the first quarter. The Lakers responded with eight unanswered goals to take a 9-3 lead early in the fourth quarter. Mercyhurst freshman midfielder Ian Wild (Pittsburgh, Pa.) concluded the run with his first career goal at the 14:19 plateau of the fourth quarter.

The Bulldogs kept fighting, finishing the contest with a 3-0 run. Wingate senior midfielder Ryan Otterblad (Dumfries, Va.) had a goal and an assist in the game-ending flurry. Williams completed the scoring with his team-high sixth goal of the season, thanks to an assist from Otterblad.

Sciulli's four goals topped the Mercyhurst charts. Williams had two goals for Wingate. Otterblad, redshirt senior Mark Hodsdon (Hilton Head, S.C.) and sophomore attack Billy Mutton (Mechanicsville, Va.) had one goal and one assist each for the hosts. The Lakers had 27 shots on goal, compared to 12 shots on goal for the Bulldogs.

Laker senior goalkeeper Jason LaShomb (Rush, N.Y.) went the distance in the nets, allowing six goals and recording six saves. Wingate senior netminder Chad Watson (Wilmington, N.C.) manned the fort for 58-plus minutes, as he recorded a career-high 18 saves. Watson gave up nine goals Saturday. Bulldog freshman goalie Danny Dlugozima (Wesley Chapel, Fla.) finished the game for the hosts.

Mercyhurst continues its tour of North Carolina Monday, visiting St. Andrews Presbyterian College for a 1:00 p.m. contest in Laurinburg. Wingate opens Deep South Conference play next week, traveling to Florida to face Saint Leo University at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 3.

2009-03-01