After a rainstorm swept away its Sept. 16 game against Lock Haven, the Gannon University women’s soccer team responded with a 1-0 win over Millersville Saturday on the road.
The early goal, coming in the game’s 20th minute, was scored by Taylor Lewis and was her fourth on the season.
Lewis’ goal would prove to be all that the Knights would need to improve to 3-2-1 overall and 3-2 in PSAC play.
Shannon Differ, Gannon’s goalkeeper, played hard and stopped Millersville’s four shots on goal.
The Marauders had a 4-2 advantage on corner kicks, but could not get one past the Gannon defenders or Differ.
Kay Liebel, Stacie Hallinan and Alexandra Powell all had scoring chances for Millersville but could not score the equalizer.
Kelsey O’Connor and Nicole Felice each had one shot on goal for Gannon, and the Knights were pressuring despite having just a one-goal lead.
Lewis has been outstanding so far for the Knights, having won PSAC Player of the Week honors and collecting four goals.
Teammates are setting her up to where she can put it in the net, like the assist she received from fellow freshman Emily Cekella in Saturday’s win over Millersville.
On Tuesday, the Knights travelled to Slippery Rock and fell 3-1. Gannon drew first blood as Lewis scored the first goal of the game after stealing the ball at midfield, weaving between the defense and landing it in the back of the net. This was her third consecutive game with a goal, a feat that hasn’t been accomplished since last October by alumna Mani Brueckner.
Only 47 seconds later, The Rock responded with a goal by Maddy Tletski tying it at 1-1. In a momentous final 16 seconds of the half, Tletski scored again giving Slippery rock the 2-1 lead going into halftime.
After the start of the second half, neither team put a notch on the board until the 63rd minute of play when Slippery Rock pounded another goal giving them the final 3-1 lead.
Despite the 3-1 score, both teams were almost identical on the stat sheet. The only major differences were in shots, 17-13 in favor of The Rock, and fewest fouls 11-6 also in favor of Slippery Rock.
Differ showed much endurance in the matchup as she played the whole match in goal, contributing two saves.
The Knights return to action at 5 p.m. Saturday against Shippensburg at McConnell Family Stadium.
Gannon also will entertain Clarion at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 5, at home.
STEVEN PITCAIRN
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