ERIE, Pa. - Two second-half goals less than 12 minutes apart proved to be the difference as the Gannon women's soccer team completed a perfect weekend against regionally-ranked teams Saturday afternoon with a 2-0 shutout of Shippensburg at Gannon University Field.
Gannon out-shot Shippensburg 8-2 during the first half, but was unable to get on the scoreboard during a scoreless first 45 minutes. The Lady Knights finally broke the ice in the 67th minute.
Kaitlyn Kissell (Erie, Pa./Villa Maria Academy) headed a corner kick by
Mani Brueckner (Valencia, Pa./Mars Area) past the Ship goalkeeper for her first goal of the season, giving the home squad a 1-0 lead.
Michelle Genetin (Navarre, Ohio/Perry) then provided a safety cushion with her third goal of the season at the 77:32 mark. The junior ripped a pass from Brueckner into the net for a 2-0 lead.
Shippensburg, ranked eighth in the latest National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Atlantic regional rankings, tried to rally with four shots during the final 12 minutes.
Sarah Geffel (Apollo, Pa./Kiski Area) turned away one attempt while the other three failed to make it on goal.
Gannon out-shot Shippensburg 13-9 while both teams took six corner kicks each. Geffel needed only two saves to record her eighth career shutout, moving her into a tie with Kelena Miller (2000) for sixth place all-time at Gannon. Shelbie Rackley had four saves for the Raiders.
Head coach
Colin Petersen's club improved to 5-2 overall and within the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) after its perfect 2-0 home weekend. Ranked seventh in the NSCAA Atlantic regional rankings, Gannon defeated top-ranked Millersville Friday afternoon and eighth-ranked Shippensburg Saturday afternoon. The Raiders dropped to 5-3 overall and 4-3 in conference action.
Gannon returns to action Wednesday, October 2 against 24th-ranked Slippery Rock at Gannon University Field. Game time is scheduled for 7 p.m.
