GAME NOTES
How We Got Here: In the PSAC Quarterfinals on Tuesday at Eiler-Martin Stadium, the Warriors and Golden Rams were tied at 2-2 after 90 minutes of regulation and an addition 20 minutes of overtime and advance to the penalty kick shootout. After ESU had its first of five attempts saves, the Warriors recorded goals on the next four tries and Helgi Hermannsson saves on the final two attempts to advance ESU to the PSAC Semifinals. Mercyhurst earned a bye in the quarterfinal round as the top-seed in the PSAC West.
The Series: The meeting between the Warriors and Lakers is the first since the 2018 season and will be the 18th overall. ESU fell to Mercyhurst, 3-2, in overtime in the latest matchup in the 2018 season finale in Erie. The Warriors led 2-1, but goals from Henri Tophoven with 7:09 left in regulation and 57 seconds into the overtime period gave ‘Hurst the 3-2 win. Friday’s contest marks the second time the squads have met in the PSAC Tournament, with the Warriors handing the Lakers a 3-0 loss in the PSAC Quarterfinals at EIler-Martin Stadium during the 2017 season. ESU would go on to win its 20th and most recent PSAC Championship that season.Both teams have met in the NCAA Tournament twice in 1998 and 1995, with Mercyhurst taking both of those contests. Overall, the Lakers lead the all-time series by a mark of 11-6.
Who to Watch: ESU’s balanced offense offers multiple goal scorers that can make an impact. This season, the Warriors have five different players tally three goals and 11 players total that have found the back of the net. ESU GK Helgi Hermannsson and the Warrior defense will be tested by the potent Laker offense that ranks second in the nation in goals per game, (3.89). The Mercyhurst defense is just as impressive, as ‘Hurst has outscored the opposition by a mark of 70-3 in 18 contests this season. ESU will attempt to be the first PSAC team to score on the Lakers, as ‘Hurst enters the contest with 13 consecutive shutouts, dating back to Sept. 7. During the last 13 contests, ‘Hurst has outscored its opponents 55-0. Pacing the ‘Hurst offense is Ireland native Sean Kerrigan, who ranks second in the country in goals per game (1.06) and second in points per game (2.53).
The Coaches: The Warriors are led by Rob Berkowitz (79-94-21), who is in his 11th season coaching the ESU men and the 15th at the helm of the Warriors’ women’s team. ESU seeks its first PSAC Title since 2017 and looks to advance to its 25th NCAA Tournament in program history. Berkowitz is opposed by Ryan Osborne of Mercyhurst, who has totaled a 30-4-3.
A Look Ahead: The winner of Friday’s PSAC Semifinal will compete for a PSAC Championship against the winner of Bloomsburg and Gannon on Sunday at 1:00 p.m. at BU’s Steph Pettit Stadium. ESU seeks its 21st PSAC title and its first since 2017, while Mercyhurst seeks its first title since 2016 and its third since transitioning to the PSAC.
