Kelsey O'Connor
Joe Mattis
Sophomore Kelsey O'Connor's first multi-goal performance in a Gannon uniform gave the Lady Knights a 2-1 first-half lead.
2
Gannon University GAN (7-4-2, 7-4-1 PSAC)
3
Winner Kutztown KUTZ (11-3, 9-3 PSAC)
Gannon University GAN
(7-4-2, 7-4-1 PSAC)
2
Final
3
Kutztown KUTZ
(11-3, 9-3 PSAC)
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Gannon University GAN 2 0 2
Kutztown KUTZ 2 1 3

Next Game:

Mercyhurst University

10/19/2016 | 6:30 PM

Next Game

Full Schedule
Oct. 19 (Wed) / 6:30 PM
 Mercyhurst University

Game Recap: Women's Soccer | | Dan Teliski, Assistant Director of Athletics for Media Relations

Gannon Women's Soccer Team Five-Match Unbeaten Streak Ends With Late Goal at No. 23 Kutztown

THE RUNDOWN
  • Final Score: at Kutztown 3, Gannon 2
  • Records: Gannon (7-4-2, 7-4-1 PSAC), Kutztown (11-3, 9-3 PSAC)
  • Location: Kutztown, Pa. - Keystone Field
  • The Short Story: The No. 23 Kutztown women's soccer team rallied from an early 2-1 deficit and netted the game-winner with 2:17 remaining to earn a 3-2 victory against Gannon Saturday afternoon at Keystone Field.

GAMEDAY MEDIA CENTER
HOW IT HAPPENED
  • Kutztown drew first blood in the 18th minute. Ashley Engler was open in front of the net after receiving a 30-yard pass from Maddie Mohr and slid a shot underneath the goalkeeper for a 1-0 lead.
  • Gannon responded in grand fashion, scoring twice in the span of two minutes and four seconds to gain the lead. Sophomore Kelsey O'Connor (Cranberry Township, Pa./Seneca Valley) netted both goals. The first came in the 20th minute unassisted when she gained control of a ball flicked on by a defender and beat the Kutztown goalkeeper.
  • Moments later, O'Connor redirected a pass from true freshman Taylor Lewis (Erie, Pa./Harbor Creek) into the goal. The shot was tipped by the goalkeeper, but O'Connor has enough force on the shot to continue it into the net for a 2-1 lead.
  • Kutztown answered with the tying goal in the 39th minute when Cara Griffith one-touched a pass from Emily Zwiercan into the net to knot the contest at two.
  • Neither team was able to generate another shot during the remaining 6:16 of the first half, before heading into the intermission deadlocked at two.
  • Kutztown out-shot Gannon 11-5 during the second half, but was unable to score for the majority of the stanza.
  • Senior Shannon Differ (Brampton, Ontario /Notre Dame C.S.S.) recorded saves while turning away Kutztown's attempt for the go-ahead goal in the 52nd, 56th, 64th, 70th and 78th minutes.
  • However, the Golden Bears finally broke through with 2:17 remaining in regulation. Alaina Curry initiated the scoring play by dribble past multiple defenders on the right side. Griffith later capped the run with her second goal of the match, one-timing a redirection into the net.
  • Gannon was unable to get another shot off, before the final horn sounded to indicate a 3-2 Kutztown victory.

GAME NOTES
  • Kutztown produced advantages in shots (18-9), corner kicks (8-1) and fewest fouls (4-9).
  • Differ recorded eight saves between the pipes.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
  • Kutztown is ranked No. 23 in the latest National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Top 25 Poll and No. 3 in the NSCAA Atlantic regional rankings.
  • Gannon is tabbed No. 9 in the NSCAA Atlantic regional rankings.
  • Kutztown honored its seniors during pre-match festivities.
  • Gannon's undefeated streak came to an end at five matches. The squad suffered its first defeat since a 3-1 setback at Slippery Rock on September 27.
  • O'Connor recorded her first career multiple-goal performance in a Gannon uniform. She had one goal during the first 12 matches.
  • Lewis dished out her first career assist on the Lady Knights' second goal.
  • Differ turned away at least eight shots for the second consecutive match and third time this season.
  • Gannon faced a nationally-ranked team for the first time since knocking off No. 5 West Chester 2-1 on September 12, 2015 at McConnell Family Stadium. It was the Lady Knights' first road contest against a nationally-ranked program since the PSAC Quarterfinals at West Chester on November 4, 2014.

UP NEXT
  • Gannon returns to action Wednesday, October 19 against rival Mercyhurst.
  • Game time at McConnell Family Stadium is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.
  • Mercyhurst leads the all-time series 24-5-4, but the Lady Knights have won four of the last five encounters.
  • Gannon rallied for a 2-1 victory on the Lakers' home turf last season.
  • Live gameday statistics will be available at http://www.sidearmstats.com/gannon/wsoc.
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Players Mentioned

Shannon Differ

#13 Shannon Differ

GK
5' 10"
Senior
Sport and Exercise Science
Taylor Lewis

#10 Taylor Lewis

F
5' 5"
Freshman
Health Science
Kelsey O

#18 Kelsey O'Connor

F
5' 6"
Sophomore
Physician Assistant

Players Mentioned

Shannon Differ

#13 Shannon Differ

5' 10"
Senior
Sport and Exercise Science
GK
Taylor Lewis

#10 Taylor Lewis

5' 5"
Freshman
Health Science
F
Kelsey O

#18 Kelsey O'Connor

5' 6"
Sophomore
Physician Assistant
F