THE BASICS
Score: East Stroudsburg 2, at No. 21 Gannon 1
Records: East Stroudsburg (3-1, 3-1 PSAC), Gannon (3-3-0, 3-2-0 PSAC)
Location: Erie, Pa. – Gannon University Field
The Short Story: The No. 21 Gannon women's soccer team returned to Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) action with a 2-1 loss to visiting East Stroudsburg at GU Field Friday afternoon. Falling behind to the Warriors on an early first-half tally, the Lady Knights tied the game late in the second half before surrendering the eventual game-winner three minutes later in the 75th minute.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Trailing 1-0 late into the second half, the Lady Knights tied the match at one in the 72nd minute. Sophomore Olivia Augustyniak (Erie, Pa./Mercyhurst Prep) buried a free kick from 30 yards into the lower-left corner, as she found the gap in the crowd moving towards the goal.
- Three minutes later, the Warriors recaptured the lead. Mirroring their first-half tally, the Warriors scored on a long feed from inside their own end. Defender Brielyn Hackett sent a long pass along the right-sideline, as Sammi Jo Hughes beat the Lady Knights' defender for the eventual game-winner from 25 yards out.
- The Warriors tallied the first goal of the afternoon in the eighth minute. Defender Amanda Vojta sent Hannah Gombos a pass up the rightside, as Gomobos beat the Lady Knights' defense with a rolling ball into the net from 30 yards out.
- With just under 13 minutes remaining in the match, ESU goalkeeper Jules Harris made a diving save to keep the Warriors in the lead on a shot by junior Sammy Valloud (Erie, Pa./McDowell) from 10 yards out.
- The Lady Knights also had a chance on a cross by junior Mani Brueckner (Valencia, Pa./Mars Area) in the 88th minute with the ball just out of the reach of freshman Bethany Perri (Valencia, Pa./Mars Area).
 
GAME NOTES
- The Lady Knights doubled up on the Warriors in shots on a 20-10 advantage.
- Sophomore goalkeeper Shannon Differ (Brampton, Ontario / Notre Dame C.S.S.) registered five saves, while ESU's Harris compiled six. Differ moves to 3-3-0 on the season.
- The Warriors held a 13-4 advantage in fouls, which the Lady Knights were only able to capitalize on Augustyniak's goal on a free kick.
- Junior Kaitlyn Kissell (Erie, Pa./Villa Maria Academy) led the Lady Knights with five shots followed by Brueckner with four. The Warriors' offense was generated by Hughes with three shots, and Vojta's and Courtney Keller's two shots a piece.
- The Lady Knights dominated in corner kick chances, 8-1.
 
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- In the all-time series, Gannon moved to 1-4-1 against East Stroudsburg. The Lady Knights have dropped three straight matches to the Warriors.
- Augustyniak scored her first goal as a Lady Knight after transferring to the program this season from Duquesne.
- The Lady Knights are currently ranked 21st in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA)/Continental Tire NCAA Division II National Rankings.
- Both teams are ranked in the latest NSCAA Atlantic regional rankings. The Lady Knights are third, while the Warriors occupy sixth.
 
UP NEXT
Gannon remains at home when the team hosts No. 9 West Chester Sept. 20. The match is set for 5 p.m.