ERIE, Pa. - Allie Misner's first goal of the season in the 58th minute helped the Northwood (Mich.) women's soccer team upset 15th-ranked Gannon 1-0 Friday night at Gannon University Field.
The two squads battled through a scoreless first half that featured only five shots aside and few scoring chances. Gannon's best scoring chance of the opening stanza came in the 24th minute when
Mani Brueckner (Valencia, Pa./Mars Area) connected with
Sammy Valloud (Erie, Pa./McDowell), but the ensuing shot sailed just wide.
Northwood, playing with a short bench of only four reserves, managed only four shots during the second half. But it only needed one to win the match. Savannah King initially appeared to have scored with the Gannon goalkeeper out of the net, but a Golden Knights defender kicked the shot away for a team save. However, Misner was right there to follow with another shot that found the back of the net at the 57:58 mark.
Gannon, ranked No. 15 in NCAA Division II and No. 2 in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Atlantic regional rankings, tried to rally during its only non-conference match-up of the season. The Lady Knights out-shot the Timberwolves 9-0 during the final 26 minutes and 45 seconds, but was unable to produce the tying score. The squad's two best scoring chances of the second half came on shots that Northwood goalkeeper Samantha Cook saved right under the crossbar.
Brueckner had the first chance, but her solid strike from 45 yards out after a foul in the 56th minute was turned away by a leaping Cook.
Anna Colaizzo (Erie, Pa./McDowell) attempted a similar shot from 20 yards out in the 79th minute, but was also turned away by Cook.
Gannon out-shot Northwood 15-9, including a 10-4 edge during the second half. The Timberwolves topped the statistical charts in corner kicks (4-3) and fouls (8-5).
Sarah Geffel (Apollo, Pa./Kiski Area) recorded one save between the pipes for the Lady Knights. Cook finished with six saves for the Timberwolves.
Head coach
Colin Petersen's squad dropped to 8-4-1 overall. In the process, the Lady Knights saw their nine-match regular-season home unbeaten streak snapped. It was the squad's first setback at Gannon University Field since a 2-0 loss to Kutztown on October 9, 2012. Northwood improved to 4-7-1 while snapping a six-match losing streak.
Gannon returns to Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) action Tuesday, October 22 at Indiana (Pa.). Game time is scheduled for 4 p.m.
