The Gannon University women’s soccer team opened up the 2015 season with back-to-back wins, thanks in part to solid performances from PSAC women’s player of the week Mani Brueckner.
The Knights won their ninth straight home opener Thursday, defeating the Walsh Cavaliers 3-1 and the followed that with a 3-1 win Saturday against Seton Hill.
On Thursday, Sarah Berger scored Walsh’s only goal 16 minutes into the game — slipping her shot through the hands of Gannon goalie Shannon Differ.
Gannon responded with two goals late in the first half.
Redshirt senior Michelle Genetin scored the Knights’ first goal, tying the score 1-1. The goal tied Genetin with Anna Sander (1999-02) for 10th place all-time at Gannon with 17 career goals.
Brueckner brought the Knights ahead, scoring unassisted off a direct kick from 30 yards out.
Early in the second half junior Bethany Perri’s unassisted score, shot into the upper corner from 40 yards out, gave Gannon an insurance goal.
The Knights fought through two lighting delays 12 minutes into Saturday’s game and brought home a 3-1 victory from Dick’s Sporting Goods Field in Greensburg, Pa.
Brueckner scored the game’s first goal, putting Gannon (2-0) ahead with an assist from senior Kaitlyn Kissell.
Seton Hill (1-1) tied the game when Hannah Marks headed teammate Emma Bearinger’s free kick from outside the box into the goal.
Senior Sammy Valloud scored the game-winning goal off Brueckner’s corner kick.
Brueckner then gave Gannon an insurance goal — her second goal of the game and third for the season — scoring off a rebound that hit the crossbar from sophomore Hannah Manczka.
With her second goal of the game, Brueckner became the second player in program history to net 100 career points.
The Knights return to action at home this weekend, hosting Bloomsburg at 2 p.m. Friday and then entertaining No. 5 West Chester at 5 p.m. Saturday.
SARAH BARTKOWIAK
