The Gannon University men’s soccer team kept on rolling last week, adding another win to a recent unbeaten streak that has reached six games.
Facing off against the California University of Pennsylvania Wednesday on the road, the Knights posted a 3-1 victory, improving their record to 5-4-1 overall and 4-0-1 in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference.
The Knights’ offense began attacking the Vulcans by the sixth minute with two shots by Ivan Manfredi sailing far left of the intended mark.
Gannon defender Dexter Abrams stepped up into offensive play as well with a rocket of a shot from 30 yards that just barely missed after making contact with Lucas Exner, the CalU goaltender.
Gannon freshman forward Alex Lee Yaw scored the first goal of the match in the 24th minute. Sergio Kobowane assisted with a pass that crossed over the middle of the field where Yaw sailed the ball into the bottom left corner of the Vulcans’ net.
The Knights controlled both offensive and defensive sides of the ball as they outshot their opponent 6-0 in the first half.
CalU’s first shot landed its only goal of the match on Ismael Garcia’s kick from the left side of the box in the 49th minute — leveling the match 1-1 and breaking the Knights’ 248-minute shutout streak.
The Vulcans continued to gain confidence with another shot from Garcia that sailed high above the Knights’ crossbar.
Gannon began reestablishing its footing in the 60th minute as Manfredi fired another shot over the CalU goal.
Riding on this momentum swing, Mathias Krigbaum landed a close-range shot in the 61st minute off junior midfielder Eduardo de Bonis Encinoso’s dump pass, snapping the tie.
The Gannon offense was seemingly unstoppable with another striker from Kobowane, giving the Knights a 3-1 lead with 28 minutes left to play.
Baran Kilic’s pass crossed into the box, allowing Kobowane to ring the ball off the post and into the Vulcan net.
CalU managed only one more shot for the remainder of the match by Christian Fletcher at the 80th minute. However, the Knights continued to dominate, pouring on an additional three shots and maintaining impressive defensive play by holding the Vulcans to just three shots.
The Knights concluded the match with 13 shots, including eight on goal.
Lee Yaw said the win over CalU provided a glimpse of the team’s potential, showing “only a precursor to the things we can accomplish if we keep playing with humility and discipline.”
With the win, the Knights lead the PSAC with 13 points, one more than West Chester.
Gannon will look to maintain its top spot when Seton Hill visits for a 6 p.m. match Wednesday at McConnell Family Stadium.
Gannon also will host East Stroudsburg in a 3:30 p.m. match Sunday.
KEEFER GREGOIRE
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