Box Score
SALEM, W. Va. (Sept. 30, 2017) – In a match against the Mercyhurst University Lakers, a few momentary lapses doomed the Salem International University (SIU) Tigers early, losing 1-4.

Mercyhurst struck quickly, scoring a little over two minutes into the match when Hady Sarr volleyed a shot just over goalie Dominic Gillespie for the goal. The Lakers added another goal 10 minutes later when Christopher Makengo's shot found the right bottom corner of the net.

"When you play a team of Mercyhurst's caliber, you have to play every single minute of the game at your best," Head Coach Florin Marton said. "We had stretches where we played well, but then we dropped our focus and we paid the price within seconds."
Those few quick strike opportunities the Tigers surrendered belied a game that found both teams roughly equal in shots (11-10 advantage to Mercyhurst) and fouls (SIU had two more fouls at 12-10).

The Tigers played stout defense for most of the second half for replacement goalie Wiktor Stawski, who entered the game for Gillespie halfway through the first half, until Makengo broke free for a one-on-one opportunity against Stawksi, juking the goalie and putting the ball in the net.

SIU scored its lone goal off a header from Lucas Vaz Coelho, who put the ball in off a free kick from Calvin Negas.

Mercyhurst responded quickly on a goal by Alex Garcia Piles after the Tigers failed to clear the ball after two consecutive saves from Stawski.

SIU hosts No. 22 ranked West Virginia Wesleyan on Oct. 3 at Catalano Stadium.