The Shippensburg University men's soccer team concluded an undesirable weekend in Erie on Sunday with a loss to Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) opponent Mercyhurst, 2-0, on a cold, cloudy and windy lake-side morning.
 
Shippensburg (9-3-3, 5-2-3 PSAC), without the services of multiple offensive starters on Sunday, yielded goals in each half to Mercyhurst (7-6-2, 4-4-2) while being kept off the scoresheet. Shots on goal finished 10-4 in favor of the Lakers. Corners were 8-3 in MU's favor.
 
Senior Garret Watson matched a season-high with eight saves, including a key stop on a penalty kick in the second half while the score was still 1-0 in Mercyhurst's favor.
 
Sunday's loss marked the end of an arduous weekend for the Raiders, who first ventured five hours to Erie on Friday night. On Saturday, Shippensburg and Mercyhurst completed less than 50 minutes of soccer on a day marred by lightning and weather delays, ultimately resulting in a postponement. The Raiders had staked out a two-goal lead over the Lakers on Saturday before the match was started from scratch on Sunday.
 
For the PSAC playoff picture, Shippensburg still holds the fourth seed in the standings, as the Raiders are tied with the Warriors (18 points) but have a head-to-head victory. SU can clinch a home match in the PSAC Quarterfinals with a win in its season finale next weekend. A loss or draw would potentially put the Raiders on the road for the PSAC Quarterfinals.
 
SU was slotted at No. 4 in the NCAA Atlantic Region rankings this past Wednesday, and has since posted a tie with West Chester (No. 2 in region) and now Sunday's loss. The next edition of the regional rankings will be released on Wednesday.
 
Sunday's result also ends a school-record streak of three consecutive matches ending in a tie.
 
UP NEXT: Saturday, 3:30 p.m. at Slippery Rock.