Box Score

EAST STROUDSBURG, Pa. – Sammy Jo Hughes scored two goals during the opening 16:49 as East Stroudsburg held off Gannon 3-2 Saturday afternoon in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) women's soccer action.

Saturday's contest was a battle of two regionally-ranked teams. Gannon entered the match fourth in the latest National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Atlantic regional rankings while East Stroudsburg was tabbed 10th. The Lady Knights were also among others receiving votes in the latest NSCAA NCAA Division II national poll.

East Stroudsburg snapped a couple Gannon streaks during Saturday's victory. Hughes' first goal 1:34 into the contest was the first scored against the Lady Knights this season, ending a streak of 459 minutes and 31 seconds without allowing a goal. In the process, it snapped Gannon's school record of five consecutive shutouts.

The home squad staggered Gannon a bit early as Hughes tallied another goal in the 17th minute to produce a 2-0 East Stroudsburg advantage. Things began to calm down after the second score until late in the half. Kaitlyn Kissell's (Erie, Pa./Villa Maria Academy) third goal of the season cut the deficit in half with 2:03 left in the first half. The score came after Kissell finished a scoring pass from Anna Colaizzo (Erie, Pa./McDowell).

The two teams traded goals during a span of 2:48 in the second half. Initially, East Stroudsburg increased its lead to 3-1 on Courtney Keller's goal at the 59:56 mark. Less than three minutes later, Sammy Valloud (Erie, Pa./McDowell) responded with her fifth score of the season off a team-high fifth assist of the year from Mani Brueckner (Valencia, Pa./Mars Area).

Gannon created its biggest threat to tie the contest with almost 15 minutes left in regulation. Colaizzo had a shot blocked during the 75th minute, before the Lady Knights were unable to score off back-to-back corner kicks. Gannon was only able to get two more shots off during the rest of the match. Justine Rodrigues (Georgetown, Ontario/Georgetown District) fired a shot high during the 84th minute and Michelle Genetin (Navarre, Ohio/Perry) shot a ball wide during the 85th minute. One last corner kick during the final minute proved to be unsuccessful as the Lady Knights fell for the first time this season.

Head coach Colin Petersen's squad out-shot East Stroudsburg 19-16 and had 15 fouls compared to the Warriors' 10. Both teams took six corner kicks each. Sarah Geffel (Apollo, Pa./Kiski Area) recorded two saves between the pipes.

Gannon dropped to 5-1 overall and 2-1 in the PSAC with Saturday's setback. East Stroudsburg improved to 3-0-2 overall and 2-0-1 in conference play. The Lady Knights return to action Wednesday, September 19 with a huge PSAC contest against rival Edinboro at Gannon University Field. The Fighting Scots are ranked 20th nationally and third regionally. Game time is scheduled for 7 p.m.