NORTH EAST, Pa. – It took only a few games but Lakeland women's soccer was able to notch its first-ever victory in an 8-0 beating of Mercyhurst North East Wednesday afternoon.

"We have a very special group of young ladies and I am very proud of them tonight," said Steve Sivik, Lakeland women's soccer coach.

The first-ever win in program history moves the Lakers to 1-2 overall as Lakeland remains 0-2 in Region XII play.

Maria Sill (Geneva) was a big reason for the first-ever victory as she recorded three goals for the hat trick and assisted on two others. Elena Logan (Geneva), Briana Paulett (Lyndhurst), Lora Stewart (Cleveland Heights), Xochil Arcos Arredondo (Painesville) and Cayleigh Megyesi (Concord) each scored a goal in the convincing victory.

Erica Wayts (Painesville) recorded her first victory in goal with a shutout after record six saves in the win. 

Sill got started early on by scoring an unassisted goal in the fourth minute and then notching another goal on a penalty kick in the eighth minute to give the Lakers a 2-0 lead. Logan capped the scoring in the first half with a goal in the 38^th minute after an assist from Sill.

With the three-goal lead at halftime, Lakeland poured it on in the second half as Paulett scored an unassisted goal in the 57^th minute for a 4-0 lead. Stewart added a fifth goal for the Lakers seven minutes later for a 5-0 advantage.

Arcos Arredondo added a goal in the 76^th minute to give Lakeland a 6-0 lead after an assist from Sill. Sill completed her hat trick in the 78^th minute for a 7-0 Laker lead. Megyesi capped the scoring in the 82^nd minute with an unassisted goal for an 8-0 lead that would hold until the final whistle.

Lakeland will play its first-ever home game on Saturday, Sept. 15 against Cincinnati State Technical & CC at 11 a.m.

For more information about Lakeland athletics, visit www.athletics.lakelandcc.edu.

About Lakeland Community College

Founded in 1967, Lakeland Community College was the first college in Ohio created by a vote of the people. True to our mission, Lakeland provides quality learning opportunities to meet the social and economic needs of the community.

Offering day, evening, weekend and online classes, the college serves more than 10,800 credit and 2,800 noncredit students (2016). For more information about the College, visit www.lakelandcc.edu.