NEW CONCORD, Ohio -- Joey Merlo (Niles/Cardinal Mooney) scored two goals and the Mount Union men's soccer team clinched a berth to the Ohio Athletic Conference Tournament with a 2-0 win over Muskingum on Wednesday. The Purple Raiders have not competed in the OAC Tournament since 2003.

Merlo gave Mount Union the lead with a goal in the 40th minute and then added an insurance tally during the 61st. Leo Hicks assisted the second goal.

Alex Bable (Columbiana/Columbiana) started in net for the Raiders, finishing with a four-save shutout.

For the Fighting Muskies (8-7-3, 2-4-2), goalies Hunter Huffman and Andrew Miller combined for four saves.

Mount Union (9-6-2, 4-3-1) will finish its regular season on Saturday with a 3:30 p.m. home match against Otterbein. With help from other conference games, the Raiders could place as high as fourth in the OAC regular season standings.

 Goals by period       1  2  Tot
 -------------------------------
 Mount Union.........  1  1 -  2
 Muskingum University  0  0 -  0
 
 SCORING SUMMARY:
  1.  39:54 MTU Joey Merlo (unassisted)
  2.  60:42 MTU Joey Merlo (Leo Hicks)

 Shots: Mount Union 11, Muskingum University 9
 Saves: Mount Union 4 (Alex Bable 4), Muskingum University 4 (Hunter
 Huffman 3; Andrew Miller 1)