ERIE, Pa. – UIndy men's lacrosse saw its historical inaugural season come to a close Friday afternoon at Tullio Field in Erie, Pa., falling 9-7 to Mercyhurst in the Eastern Conference Athletic Conference (ECAC) semifinals.

It had been only six days since the No. 4 Lakers (14-2) handed No. 18 UIndy (8-6) a 10-2 defeat in the regular season finale, but in Friday's semifinal match the upset-minded Greyhounds held their own and nearly erased a four-goal deficit in the second half.

In a match-up of the ECAC's top two defenses, the Lakers got on the board first, netting a goal less than two minutes into the game.

But UIndy's Matthew Johnson found pay dirt a few minutes later, tying the game at 1-1 with his 15th goal of the season.

About 90 seconds later, Kevin Spurlock scored on an assist from Luke Allen, giving the Hounds a 2-1 lead – their first against the Lakers.

A late score from Mercyhurst's Kurtis Woodland before the horn sounded made it 2-2 after one quarter.

The second 15 minutes belonged to the Lakers, however, as the fourth-ranked team in the nation blanked the Greyhounds and added three goals to carry a 5-2 advantage into the half.

Mercyhurst nearly doubled up UIndy in shot attempts in the first have, and collected 13 ground balls to UIndy's six.

But UIndy wouldn't go quietly. After a Laker goal near the 10:30-mark of the third period made it 6-4, the Hounds ripped off consecutive scores to pull back within two. Shawn Kimble scored on an assist by Johnson at the 8-minute mark, and two minutes later Kimble fed UIndy's leading scorer, Parker Kump, for a man-up goal.

Midway through the fourth, Kimble scored again during a man-up situation to put the hosts on their heels, 6-5.

Mercyhurst would respond with two consecutive scores, pushing the lead back up to 8-5 before Kimble completed the hat trick near the 5:25 mark. As his previous two goals had, his third came off an assist from Johnson.

UIndy was held scoreless for over five minutes down the stretch, and with just under two minutes remaining Derek Richards found the back of the net for the Lakers to all but seal the victory.

A late goal from Eric Lounds brought the final to 9-7.

The Hounds had much more success controlling possession in the second half, pacing the Lakers in total shots and shots on goal, as well as totaling more ground balls.

Shawn Kimble and Johnson led the Hounds with four points apiece, and Robert Berardi led the team with six ground balls.

Adam Dobis and Connor Swanger each had three ground balls, and Dobis led the Hounds with three caused turnovers. ECAC Rookie of the Year Jarod Kimble totaled seven saves in the cage.

Mercyhurst advances to face Lindenwood in the ECAC Championship Sunday at 12 p.m. The Lions defeated Lake Erie, 8-6, in Friday's first semifinal game.