The Student News Site of Gannon University since 1947

THE GANNON KNIGHT

The Student News Site of Gannon University since 1947

THE GANNON KNIGHT

The Student News Site of Gannon University since 1947

THE GANNON KNIGHT

Women’s soccer powered by freshman scorer

Gannon University’s women’s soccer team made up a loss against Kutztown University by scoring a victory and a pair of ties in the past week.

On Tuesday, the Knights found their six-game win streak against Lock Haven University in danger as they conceded two goals to the winless Bald Eagles, but they battled back to pull out a 2-2 tie..

Senior forward Amanda Sharbaugh was sidelined with a sprained ankle, and did not start in the contest. Sophomore forward Emily Martin started in her place.

Sharbaugh said she expects to be ready for Saturday’s game at Indiana (Pa.) University

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The two teams remained scoreless until the 46th minute, when the Bald Eagles struck first via a 30-yard line shot from Natalie Isett. Lock Haven would notch another score when Madison Taylor netted an unassisted goal in the 57th minute to provide a 2-0 advantage.

Fortunately for the Knights, though, there was more than 30 minutes left on the clock. In desperate need of a goal, coach Colin Petersen subbed an injured Sharbaugh into the game shortly before the Bald Eagles’ second goal.

The Knights got on the board shortly after that second goal as freshman midfielder Justine Rodrigues scored off a Sharbaugh cross during the 68th minute. It was the freshman’s fourth goal of the season.

Sharbaugh, the all-time career goal scorer, netted her own goal as she knocked in a pass from senior midfielder Katie Urban to tie the game at 2 with a little over 10 minutes remaining.

Squared at two a piece, the two teams would end up slugging it out until the end of regulation. The first and second overtimes were much of the same as neither had any offensive answers and the result was a tie.

As with the previous couple of games, Gannon struggled early with its offense.

Petersen said that for the last couple of games, the team has come up flat. Considering the tough part of its schedule

approaching, he said the team cannot afford to concede goals early again.

The tie moved Gannon to 4-1-2 on the season.

On Wednesday Sept. 14, Gannon upset No. 17 Edinboro at home in a 2-1 victory. Edinboro was up early 1-0, but Gannon fought back as Rodrigues scored a pair of goals, one from a penalty kick and the other off a pass from Urban on a corner kick.

Saturday’s game against Clarion resulted in a tie as the Knights played in their first road game of the season.

One of the surprises to this year’s team is the addition of two new freshmen: Rodrigues and forward Michelle Genetin. The two have combined to score 15 total points out of 41 team points, contributing over a third of the team’s offense.

Rodrigues, who has started all seven games for the Knights this year, said all the training and preparation with the Knights has paid off and helped her succeed.

“We have been training extremely hard during the pre-season and in between games which is paying off,” she said. “I also think the support of the older girls and Colin have helped tremendously as well. They are extremely helpful and encouraging.”

The Georgetown, Ontario product said that she is glad to be a part of the starting lineup.

“Overall it has been a great experience so far and I cannot wait to see what the rest of the season has to offer,” she said.

The Knights will look to put another game in the win column as they go on the road Saturday to face Indiana at 1 p.m.

JACOB TARR

[email protected]

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