IUP-Mercyhurst Box
Erie, Pa. - After scoring two of Mercyhurst's five goals in its quarterfinal win and both of Mercyhurst's two goals in a 2-1 win in the semifinals, senior forward Sarah Powell took care of all of the scoring for the Lakers once again in the championship match of the 2008 PSAC women's soccer tournament as she scored both goals for the Lakers in a 2-1 win over IUP for the PSAC championship. The win gives Mercyhurst its first PSAC championship in any sport. The Lakers are in their first year as a member of the PSAC.
Mercyhurst, which finished in a tie for second place in the PSAC West during the regular season, followed up its upset win over PSAC East champion West Chester in yesterday's semifinals with its second win of the year over the Crimson Hawks, who finished in fourth place in the PSAC West, to earn the league's automatic berth into the NCAA Tournament. Mercyhurst and IUP had split during the regular season.
Powell scored a first half goal and a second half goal, which came almost exactly 63 minutes after her first goal, to give the Lakers a 2-0 lead before IUP was able to crack the scoreboard in the 85th minute. Powell netted her first goal at the 14:26 mark as she took a pass from Christine Rehnert and chipped a ball over IUP goalie Kelly Brennan from about 30 yards out to give the Lakers the early 1-0 lead. The Lakers dominated play for most of the remainder of the first half, outshooting the Crimson Hawks 10-2 in the half.
IUP had more chances in the second half but was unable to convert on any for most of the half. At the 77:27 mark, Mercyhurst took a 2-0 lead as Powell scored her team and PSAC-leading 21st goal of the year and sixth of the tournament as she one-timed a cross from Heather Donovan into the net.
Sarah Romasco cut the lead to 2-1 as she finished a corner kick from Kyra Hricik at the 84:57 mark. The Hawks were unable to generate any more chances in the final five minutes of the game, however, as Mercyhurst held the ball for much of the remainder of the game.
For her six-goal, 13-point effort to lead Mercyhurst in the PSAC Tournament, Powell was named the tournament MVP. She has now scored two goals in three straight games for the first time in her career