Sports

FIFA World Cup continues in full force

By Megan McKay

Sports editor

The FIFA World Cup is one of the most famous—and most widely viewed— soccer tournaments worldwide. It is predominantly known as the World Cup which takes place every four years across the world. In 2018, France was crowned World Champions and Brazil holds the most titles. Since the Russia World Cup final in 2018, there has been a qualification phase to determine the 32 teams.

This year nations are competing in the 22nd World Cup in Qatar, the tournament began Nov. 22 which involved round-robin play where the top teams advance to a single elimination knockout phase.

France, the reigning champs, were the first team to make the cut. Within the eight groups, England has also notably won their group advancing to the knockout and helping the United States advance in second place after their 1-0 win against Iran and a tie with England.

The U.S. has participated in every World Cup from 1990 to 2014 until 2018 when the team did not qualify.

The team has jumped a huge hurdle this World Cup qualifying and making it to the knockout round.

In 1930, the U.S. had their best finish which was third place in the inaugural World Cup.

Among the stars playing in this year’s tournament, Christiano Ronaldo and Portugal made a hassle-free cut for the knockout round.

Despite Neymar owing an injury Brazil sealed their ticket winning their group too. Brazil still has a talented roster which puts them in the first-place power ranking.

Lionel Messi’s Argentina was upset against Saudi Arabia but worked their way back into the top 16.

The 16 remaining nations who enter the knockout phase will eventually face off. So far, 10 teams—Netherlands, Senegal, England, U.S., France, Australia, Argentina, Poland, Brazil and Portugal—have qualified for the Round of 16.

Unfortunately host country Qatar was the first team to fall out of the race for the Round of 16 as they lost their opening two games. Mexico had a notably heartbreaking exit as well. The U.S. faced off against the Netherlands in the first match of their knockout phase Saturday. The Netherlands pulled away 3-1 as the favored team for the match as the U.S. offense only scored twice in the group stage.

The Netherlands scored in the 10th minute of the match, and followed it up with another goal seconds before halftime.

The Americans had a brief second of hope in the 76th minute when they pulled within one.

However, Denzel Dumfries of the Netherlands scored minutes later, the star was involved in every goal.

“I’m really proud of this team, how far we’ve come,” said U.S. star Christian Pulisic after the match. “I hope we showed a lot of people what we can do...We deserved more from this tournament. At the end of the day, we couldn’t get it done, but I think there’s a lot we can be proud of.”

Despite falling short, the United States put forth a great effort in this year’s World Cup. Argentina also advances to the quarters after defeating Australia Saturday.

Lionel Messi played in his 1,000th career international appearance over the weekend in what will be his final World Cup appearance.

Argentina will face the Netherlands in the quarter finals. Brazil and Portugal are still awaiting their opponents.

The quarter-finals will take place the second weekend of December, followed by the semi-finals the second week, the third place face off will begin Saturday, Dec. 17, and the final match for World Champions on Sunday, Dec. 18.

Sporting News photo

Netherlands outfielder Denzel Dumfries runs towards the ball in the World Cup game against the United States on Saturday, Dec. 3. The Netherlands won 3-1.

Women’s basketball splits two games

By Sydney Dietz

Sports editor

The women’s basketball team split two away games over the weekend.

The first game was Friday, Dec. 2, at 5:30 p.m. against West Chester University of Pennsylvania. This game was played in West Chester, PA, and resulted in a loss for the Lakers. The beginning of the game was slow with a starting score of 10-2 in favor of the West Chester Rams. However, the Lakers bounced back when graduate student Lexi Wagner made a three-pointer, followed by two lay-ups made by sophomore Ava Waid.

After these plays, the Lakers tied the game with a score of 1515 at the end of the first quarter.

The Rams dominated the second quarter after many offensive rebounds and second-chance points. Mercyhurst unfortunately was unable to take the lead.

Senior Jayde Boyd got a layup making the score 39-30 in favor of West Chester.

Senior Julia Buchnman started the scoring in the second half of the game, allowing Mercyhurst to put the first points on the board.

However, West Chester capitalized on the scoring going forward. The Rams went on a scoring streak and gained nine points acquiring them a safe lead.

In the fourth quarter, the Lakers tried their best to stay in the game, but had no luck.

The Rams took control of the rest of the game with a final score of 79-67. However, despite this loss, the Lakers pulled out a win in their second game of the weekend.

The second game was played on Saturday, Dec. 3, at 1 p.m. against Millersville University. This game was played at the Pucillo Gymnasium in Millersville, PA.

Once again, Mercyhurst had a slow start as Millersville got the first points of the game early on and then obtained ten more points.

Mercyhurst bounced back as Boyd added points for the Lakers helping the score.

At the end of the first quarter, the Lakers were only trailing by four points. The Lakers tied the game in the second quarter after a long-distance shot made by Buchmann. This shot made the score 29-29.

Boyd landed a few fouls resulting in more points at the free throw line. Sophomore Paige Woodford made a long-distance throw.

After these added points, the Lakers took the lead with a score of 54-49.

The Millersville Marauders tried to catch up in the fourth quarter. They ended up tying the game at a score of 57-57.

The Lakers, however, did not let the Marauders take the lead. At the end of the game, they fought for their win. Orefield, PA, native, Buchmann made a layup that was followed by a three-pointer made by Woodford.

The Lakers kept the lead for the rest of the game with a final score of 75-62.

The Mercyhurst women’s basketball game will face Salem University at home on Thursday, Dec. 8, at 5 p.m. They will then travel to Painesville Ohio on Saturday, Dec. 10, to face Lake Erie College.

Hurst Athletics photo

Sophomore forward Grace Centrulla shots the ball in a winning game facing Millersville University on Saturday, Dec.3.

Electric weekend at Hurst Ice Center

By Sydney Dietz

Sports editor

The women’s hockey team highlights the week by finishing with a pair of wins competing at home against Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT).

The Lakers played two games that ended in victory and left fans cheering. The first game was played at 6 p.m. on Friday Dec. 2.

The Lakers won the game with an excellent score of 5-1. Although the Lakers won the game, RIT scored the first goal of the game at 19:29. However, the Tigers could not get the puck into the Lakers net for the rest of the game.

Mercyhurst was not able to score in the first period. During the second period, Burlington, Ontario, native and junior forward, Sara Boucher got her first goal of the game on a power play.

This goal happened at 9:11 and tied the two teams. Boucher’s goal was assisted by senior defender Jordan Mortlock and rookie of the week, freshman forward Thea Johansson.

The Lakers took the lead at 14:40 in the second period. Sophomore defender Sydney Pedersen from Milestone, Saskatchewan, got the unassisted goal. After the

Hurst athletics photo

The womens hockey team celebrates after scoring one of seven goals against RIT on Saturday, Dec. 3 at the Mercyhurst Ice Center.

second period, the score was 2-1 in favor of the Lakers.

During the third period, the scoring streak continued. Boucher earned her second goal of the game at 3:36. This goal was assisted by sophomore forward Venessa Upson with help from freshman forward Riley Johnson.

Soon after, Boucher shot and scored again resulting in a hat trick. This goal happened at 12:02 and was assisted by freshman defender Sami Gendron.

At the end of the game, the Lakers celebrated their 5-1 win in hopes for another win the next day.

The second game was at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 3. The Lakers hit the ice with energy and power once again.

The first period was very action packed for Mercyhurst. The scoring started 29 seconds into the first period when Upson got the puck in the net. Upson’s goal was assisted by Johansson and Pedersen. Just minutes after, Johansson scored which made the score 2-0 in favor of the Lakers. Boucher and Upson got the assists.

The scoring was not over, at 3:32, sophomore forward from Erie, PA, Marielle Parks, scored, adding another goal for Mercyhurst. Park’s goal was assisted by Gendron and senior defender Alexandria Weiss.

Still in the first period, Boucher claimed her fourth goal of the weekend upping the Lakers score to 4-0.

The Lakers were not done scoring, junior forward Chantal SteCroix found the net and shot a backhand goal obtaining a fifth goal for the Lakers.

The second period was very defensive for the Lakers. Senior goaltender Ena Nystrøm made three saves and the defense blocked nine shots.

In the third period, Boucher got another unassisted goal at 9:42.

Boucher was not done scoring, she got her sixth goal of the weekend at 15:00. This goal earned her a second hat trick of the weekend. Boucher’s goal was assisted by freshman defender Megan McKay and Weiss.

After Boucher’s goal, the score was 7-0 in favor of the Lakers. The Tigers eventually scored at 15:38 in the third period. However, despite this goal, the Lakers brought home a win for a second game in a row.

It was a very exciting weekend for the Mercyhurst women’s hockey team. They will hit the ice again this weekend with back to back home games against Princeton University.

The first game will be Friday, Dec. 9, at 3 p.m. and the second game will be Saturday, Dec. 10, at 2 p.m.

Men’s basketball season off to good start

By Megan McKay

Staff writer

The men’s basketball team completed the second game of their season last Friday in an exciting match-up against West Chester University.

The last time these two opponents faced off was 2019 when the Golden Rams barely surpassed the Lakers 83-80.

West Chester has already had five out-of-conference games under their belt this season. The Golden Rams currently have a 4-1 record.

However, the Lakers returned after two weeks off and dominated West Chester in their first conference game. The Lakers got out early with a lead thanks to Senior guard Jeff Planutis and Senior guard Michael Bradley who had nine of the 11 points.

However, West Chester pulled ahead 44-39 going into the half but with 14 minutes to go in the game, graduate student Nicholas Lang had a triple to tie it 53-53.

In the final minutes, Mercyhurst sealed the victory 81-66.

“The first half wasn’t really going our way, but we regrouped at halftime and held them to 22 points in the second half,” graduate guard MiyKah McIntosh said. “That showed our character as a team early in the season, and we continue to have a successful season.”

Hurst Athletics photo

Senior guard Jeff Planutis goes to shoot the ball in a winning away game against West Chester University on Friday, Dec. 2.

The Lakers second win came after their exciting home opener where they came back from a double digit deficit against Daemen.

Bradley was the buzzer beater.

“On the road we didn’t have things going on our way, but we stuck together and fought together as a team. Tonight showed that we can compete with anyone, and it shows our team’s composure,” Bradley said.

Saturday, the Lakers were on the road again against Millersville. They could not, however, complete the weekend sweep however as the Marauders pulled away 84-73. In a tight game, the Lakers were able to crawl their way back into the lead 57-56 with 11 minutes left.

In the final four minutes, Millersville pulled away, giving the Lakers their first loss of the season. Plauntis led the way again for a second-straight game in scoring with 20 points while going 8-8 from the free throw line.

After scoring 22 points against West Chester, Planutis now has back-to-back games of 20 or more points for the first time in his career.

He was followed by Bradley who finished with 14 points and three steals

The Lakers season has only just begun but the team is looking to compete the remainder and win as many games as possible.

Both Bradley and McIntosh mentioned that the team’s goals have always been to win a conference and national championship.

The Lakers are home for their next five home games. They face off this week against Nyack College on Saturday, Dec. 10, at 2 p.m.

LET’S GO, LAKERS!

Thursday, Dec. 8, Erie, 5 p.m. Women’s basketball vs. Salem University Friday, Dec. 9, Erie, 7:05 p.m. Men’s hockey vs. Army Saturday, Dec. 10, Erie, 7 p.m. Men’s basketball vs. Nyack College Saturday, Dec. 10, Erie, 7 p.m. Women’s hockey vs. Princeton University