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EAST STROUDSBURG – Junior midfielder Nick Fischer scored twice and junior forward Nemanja Nikolic added another goal to lead East Stroudsburg University to a 3-1 upset of No. 12 Mercyhurst in PSAC men's soccer on Wednesday night at Eiler-Martin Stadium.

Fischer, the Warriors' top scorer with five goals this season, broke a scoreless tie in the 54th minute, then scored an insurance goal on an assist from Nikolic in the 80th minute after the Mercyhurst had closed within 2-1.

ESU (3-6-1, 2-3-1) weathered several late chances and freshman goalkeeper Sean Murphy had six saves, including two from point-blank range, as the Warriors handed the Lakers (8-3, 2-2) their second straight loss after they had elevated to No. 4 in last week's NSCAA poll.

Fischer assisted on the Warriors' second goal, a long-range chip from Nikolic over the head of Mercyhurst goalkeeper Diego Gustin, which put the home side ahead 2-0 in the 61st minute.

Mercyhurst cut the margin in half on a goal by Patrick Gehring in the 68th minute, but a give-and-go between Fischer and Nikolic led to Fischer's left-footed finish that put the Warriors up 3-1 and sealed the victory with 10 minutes left.

Nikolic scored his first two career goals in a 2-1 win at Slippery Rock on Saturday and notched his second assist of the season on Fischer's second goal. Sophomore midfielder Matthew Geidner and junior back Garrison Draper assisted on the opening goal of the game by Fischer.

Mercyhurst held advantages of 23-12 in shots and 8-1 in corner kicks, including 15-8 in shots and 5-0 in corners in the second half. Gustin had three saves for the Lakers, who surrendered three goals for just the second time in their last 30 games.

ESU, which lost five starters, four All-Region players and legendary head coach Jerry Sheska from last year's team which reached the PSAC final, now has a chance to qualify for its second straight trip to the PSAC Tournament over its final three conference games.

The Warriors, under the direction of fifth-year women's head coach Rob Berkowitz, travel across the state to Gannon for a 3:30 p.m. start on Saturday. They will play two non-conference games before hosting defending PSAC champion Shippensburg on Oct. 18, then have two more non-conference games before a trip to Bloomsburg for the PSAC and regular season finale on Oct. 29.