Video Highlights & Interview

THE BASICS
Score: at Gannon 4, Mercyhurst 2
Records: Gannon (4-3-0, 3-3-0), Mercyhurst (2-4-1, 2-4-1 PSAC)
Location: Erie, Pa. – Gannon University Field
The Short Story: The Gannon women's soccer team snapped a three-game skid with a 4-2 victory over Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) rival Mercyhurst Wednesday evening at GU Field. Despite the Lakers striking first in just the fourth minute of play, the Lady Knights rallied with three unanswered goals in a span of eight minutes halfway through the first half to take control of the match, 3-1. The Lakers added a late goal in the first half before the Lady Knights secured the win with an insurance goal in the 62nd minute for a 4-2 victory.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Lakers captured a 1-0 lead in the fourth minute on a pass down the rightside by Rachel Fulton to Kristina Roberti, who found leading scorer Lauren Testa in the middle with a cross. The goal was Testa's fourth of the season.
- Freshman Hannah Manczka (Fairview, Pa./McDowell) scored her first career goal at the 20 minute mark to tie the match at one each. Picking up her first assist of the day, junior Mani Brueckner (Valencia, Pa./Mars Area) crossed the ball into the middle, as Manczka tapped in the shot.
- Brueckner collected her second assist, setting up senior Justine Rodrigues (Georgetown, Ontario/Georgetown District) with the go-ahead tally in the 27th minute. Brueckner found Rodrigues open down the rightside with the senior ripping the shot in from 15 yards out in the face of a Laker defender to take a 2-1 lead.
- Under a minute later, the Lady Knights extended their lead to 3-1. Following a Brueckner throw-in, the Lakers were unable to clear the ball. Junior Amanda Gallant (Brampton, Ontario/Cardinal Leger SS) scooped up the loose ball, lofting the ball high in the air towards the Lakers' net. Lakers' goalkeeper Ellie McDougall misplayed the ball as it sailed into the left-upper 90.
- The Lakers pulled within one, 3-2, on a converted corner kick by Janine Wong. In the 42nd minute, Roberti tipped in a shot off Wong's corner kick despite the Lady Knights' attempts to clear the loose ball.
- In the 62nd minute, the Lady Knights added an insurance goal for a 4-2 lead and eventual win. Brueckner scored her second goal of the season, as her shot ricocheted off a Lakers' defender in position to block the shot. Freshman Olivia Sharbaugh (Saver, Pa./Knoch) fed the ball to Brueckner, as Sharbaugh registered her first career point.
 
GAME NOTES
- Gannon goalkeepers Shannon Differ (Brampton, Ontario / Notre Dame C.S.S.) and Danitza Indacochea (Maple, Ontario/St. Joan of Arc) split time in net, as Indacochea entered in relief of Differ. Differ secured one save with Indacochea picking up two saves in her career debut for the Lady Knights. McDougall collected three saves for the Lakers.
- The Lady Knights held an 18-7 shot advantage over the Lakers with a 7-5 edge in shots on goal as well.
- From the corner, the Lady Knights had 11 opportunities.
- Gallant netted her first goal of the season and fourth of her career. Three of the junior's four career goals have resulted in game-winners.
- Brueckner led the Lady Knights with six total shots.
- The Lady Knights were whistled on three offsides, while the Lakers were called on two missteps.
 
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- The Lady Knights improved to 4-24-4 in the all-time series with the rival Lakers, winning three of the last four meetings.
- The win was the first rally for the Lady Knights this season.
- At GU Field, the Lady Knights are 3-2-0 overall.
 
UP NEXT
Prior to hitting the road for three straight matches, Gannon will have over a week off from action. The Lady Knights return to action at Millersville Oct. 3, beginning at 3 p.m.