ERIE, Pa. – The Gannon men's soccer team hopes to snap a two-match losing streak on Friday against the Eagles of Ashalnd. The non-conference match is slated for a 7 p.m. start at Gannon University Field. The Golden Knights will then host Urbana Sunday, September 25 at 2 p.m.
Live gameday statistics will be available for both matches at http://www.gannon.edu/athletics/men/soccer/lstats/xlive.htm.
The Golden Knights come into the match after dropping a physical 5-3 loss to Lock Haven on Tuesday. After facing a 3-0 deficit early in the first half, Gannon battled back to pull within one goal with just over 12 minutes to play, but the Bald Eagles would come away with the victory, handing Gannon its first Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) loss.
Ashland enters the match with a 2-4-1 overall record. The Eagles defeated Slippery Rock 1-0 in their season opener with Jamie Dollar netting the game winner in the 76th minute. Ashland's other win this season came in a 3-1 decision over Findlay.
Urbana holds a 3-3 record this season winning back-to-back matches against No. 5 Mercyhurst (1-0) and Wheeling Jesuit (3-1). The Blue Knights opened the season with losses to Northwood (4-1) and Walsh (4-0).
Robbie Bennett (Durban, South Africa / St. Benedict School) has led Gannon's offense all season. In the latest national statistics, which includes games played through September 18, Bennett ranked second in goals (9) and goals per match (1.5). He was also third in points (20) and points per match (3.33). Since then he has added one goal and two assists to his totals.
Marnix van der Donk (The Hague, Netherlands / Maerlant Lyceum) is tied with Bennett this season with a team-high four assists. Austin Miller (Hilliard, Ohio / Hilliard Darby) and Faycal Benjelloun (Rabat, Morocco / Lycee Descartes) have each netted two goals this season.
Through seven matches, the Eagles have scored just six goals this season. They were shut out in losses to Walsh and Lake Erie while also battling Tiffin to a 0-0 tie. Dollar has scored twice this season, with four other Eagles netting one goal. Kenny Hewitt has three of Ashland's five assists this season.
The Golden Knights and Ealges haven't faced off since Gannon moved from the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) to the PSAC after the 2007-08 season. Gannon has won three straight over Ashland, holding a 10-6-2 overall record.
Urbana is averaging 1.33 goals per match, while allowing opponents to score 2.0 goals. The Blue Knights have been shutout twice this season, while recording their only shutout against nationally ranked Mercyhurst.
Mark Whittle and Tyler Wason have led Urbana's offense this season with four and three goals respectively. Wason also has a team-high two assists. Darraghn McGinley has played every minute in goal, posting 39 saves and a .765 save percentage this season. Urbana defeated Gannon in the only two match-ups in the series.
