EAST STROUDSBURG -- After building a 17-0 halftime lead, the East Stroudsburg University football team prevented a comeback attempt late to down Mercyhurst, 17-7, on Saturday afternoon at Eiler-Martin Stadium.

The Warriors (2-1) get back to their winning ways after falling to nationally-ranked Slippery Rock a week ago, while the Lakers fall to 1-2 on the season in Marty Schaetzel's final season before retirement.

ESU's defense stymied the Lakers offense the majority of the game, holding Mercyhurst to less than 100 yards of offense through three quarters. Mercyhurst was able to gain rhythm in the fourth quarter with a touchdown drive with 9:29 remaining, but the stout Warrior defense would force a turnover on downs the next possession and ESU would run out the clock to take its second victory of the season.

Gunner Anglovich, the PSAC's leading rusher entering the day, rushed for 89 yards and a touchdown, averaging 4.2 yards per rush. Fullback David Akinwande finished with 42 yards including an impressive 20-yd scamper to put the game on ice.

Under center, Matt DeLaurentis filled in for Jake Cirillo - who was scratched due to injury - and completed 14-25 passes for 165 yards and a touchdown to James Cherry.

Clifford Brinkley led ESU with 49 yards receiving on a pair of receptions, including an impressive 43-yd catch. Anglovich and Ezequiel Lopez both brought in four receptions for 47 yards. Anglovich finished the day with 136 yards of all-purpose yards. Rece Bender added three catches on 14 yards, while Cherry's one catch went for an 8-yd touchdown.

Defensively, Tyler Watson and Paul Carreras led the way in tackles with seven each. Watson forced a fumble and broke-up a pair of Laker passes. Carreras also tallied a fumble recovery and a pass breakup. Jahmere Crumpton added six tackles, while Jacob Keane and Khalil Scott each added five takedowns.

Aidan Hayward also forced a fumble on the day, while Andre Eldridge and Keane registered a sack each. Devon Banks also jumped on a Laker fumble.

After ESU forced Mercyhurst to punt for first of five times on its first drive, the Warriors started strong offensively with a 13-play 91 yard drive that took 6:29 off the clock. A 31-yd c78ompletion from DeLaurentis to Anglovich set up Anglovich for six consecutive carries before he found the end zone. In total, Anglovich tallied 78 all-purpose yards on the Warriors first drive of the game.

Following the touchdown, ESU would obtain possession on Mercyhursts' 37-yd line on a fumble that was recovered by Devon Banks. The Warriors could not capitalize and would have to punt.

Hayward would force a fumble on the Lakers' next drive with the recovery by Carreras, setting up the Warriors with possession in the red zone. ESU would extend its lead on a 36-yd field goal by Devin Bartholomew, his first of the season and first in his Warrior career.

After the two foes traded punts in the second quarter, ESU would string together a nine-play 74-yd drive, taking up just a 1:08 of game clock to grab a 17-0 advantage with 21 seconds left in the half. Cherry's 8-yd touchdown was setup by Brinkley's 43-yd reception to the Lakers' eight-yard line. After a pair of incompletions, DeLauentis found Cherry open in the back of the end zone for the second touchdown drive of the first half.

After 30 minutes, ESU outgained Mercyhurst 194-32, with the Warrior defense allowing just four first downs (1-of-5 3rd down conversions).

ESU forced another Laker punt on its first drive of its possession. The Warriors looked to extend its advantage, after taking over possession at the 50-yd line, but a 48-yd field goal attempt would go wide left.

After the teams traded punts, ESU forced a turnover on downs to end the third quarter with a 17-0 lead.

Mercyhurst would put together its lone scoring drive after forcing ESU to punt. The Lakers found rhythm on the six-play, 65 yard drive. A 20-yd touchdown connection from Michael Lowery to Cameron Barmore would put Mercyhurst on the scoreboard.

The Warriors would move the ball on its next drive, going 50 yards. Unfortunately for ESU, the field goal attempt went wide left.

With the Lakers looking to make it a one-possession game, ESU allowed a 33-yd gain on a completion. However, ESU buckled down and forced a five-yd run and three incompletions for the turnover on downs.       

ESU would run out the final 2:28 of clock, featuring a 20-yd highlight run from Akinwande for a first down to put the game on ice.   

The Warriors are back on the road next Saturday, when ESU travels to Lock Haven. Kickoff at Hubert H. Jack Stadium is slated for 6:00 p.m. against the Bald Eagles.