Amanda Sharbaugh
Matt Mead Photography LLC
Junior Olivia Sharbaugh's first career goal in the 73rd minute helped Gannon tie Mercyhurst in double overtime.
1
Mercyhurst MER-W (7-6-2, 6-6-2 PSAC)
1
Gannon University GAN (7-4-3, 7-4-2 PSAC)
Mercyhurst MER-W
(7-6-2, 6-6-2 PSAC)
1
Final
1
Gannon University GAN
(7-4-3, 7-4-2 PSAC)
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 OT 1 OT 2 F
Mercyhurst MER-W 1 0 0 0 1
Gannon University GAN 0 1 0 0 1

Next Game:

at University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown

10/22/2016 | 3:30 PM

Next Game

Full Schedule
Oct. 22 (Sat) / 3:30 PM
at University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown

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

Gannon Women's Soccer Team Rallies to Tie Mercyhurst in Cancer Awareness Match; Extends Nation's Longest Regular-Season Home Unbeaten Streak to 19

THE RUNDOWN
  • Final Score: at Gannon 1, Mercyhurst 1 (2 ot)
  • Records: Gannon (7-4-3, 7-4-2 PSAC), Mercyhurst (7-6-2, 6-6-2 PSAC)
  • Location: Erie, Pa. - McConnell Family Stadium
  • The Short Story: The Gannon women's soccer team rallied behind junior Olivia Sharbaugh (Sarver, Pa./Knoch)'s first career goal into an open net during the 73rd minute to tie rival Mercyhurst 1-1 in double overtime Wednesday night at McConnell Family Stadium. The tie extended the longest regular-season home unbeaten streak in NCAA Division II to 19 matches dating back to the 2014 campaign.

GAMEDAY MEDIA CENTER
HOW IT HAPPENED
  • Gannon produced six of the first seven shots, but it was Mercyhurst which scored the first goal in the 32nd minute when Maya Fanazini got a ball past a diving goalkeeper and inside the left post for a 1-0 lead.
  • The lead remained 1-0 in favor of the visiting Lakers at halftime.
  • The first half was played in even terms, but the second half was controlled by Gannon. The Lady Knights generated an 11-4 edge in shots during the final 45 minutes.
  • Gannon narrowly missed tying the match in the 52nd minute when a shot from 15 yards out on the left side after a foul sailed just high and hit the football field goal crossbar.
  • The Lady Knights had another shot in the 58th minute, but an undefended chip shot from 10 yards out went high.
  • Less than two minutes later, a loose ball sat right in front of the net after a free ball, but the Mercyhurst goalkeeper was able to grab it before the Gannon offensive player could find it.
  • More opportunities came in the 68th minute. Gannon ripped a first shot that appeared headed inside the left post, but the Mercyhurst goalkeeper made a diving save. The ensuing shot off the rebound with the net open went wide right.
  • The pressure finally paid off for the Lady Knights in the 73rd minute. Sophomore Kelsey O'Connor (Cranberry Township, Pa./Seneca Valley) pushed a free ball over to Sharbaugh who scored into an empty net to tie the score at one.
  • Neither team was able to score again during the final 17:01 of regulation, forcing extra time.
  • Both teams recorded one shot during the first overtime with no great scoring opportunities.
  • Mercyhurst had the two best scoring chances during the second overtime. A crossing pass created a 3-on-1 in front with the goalkeeper out of the net during the 106th minute, but a Gannon defender was able to block a shot before it headed into the net.
  • The Lakers got off an uncontested shot from 15 yards out on the right side with 2:15 remaining, but senior Shannon Differ (Brampton, Ontario /Notre Dame C.S.S.) caught a rifle shot from close range to preserve the tie.

GAME NOTES
  • Gannon produced advantages in shots (24-13), corner kicks (5-2) and fouls (17-16).
  • Differ recorded five saves between the pipes.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
  • Wednesday's match started 30 minutes late due to a double-overtime contest between the Gannon and Urbana men's teams.
  • Gannon honored members of Linked By Pink during pregame festivities. Every Lady Knight was also playing for someone who either passed away, is a survivor or currently battling a form of cancer.
  • Both Gannon and Mercyhurst worn special uniforms that included the color pink as part of the Cancer Awareness Match. 
  • The Lady Knights were tabbed No. 8 in the initial NCAA Division II Atlantic regional rankings released Wednesday afternoon
  • Gannon extended the longest regular-season home win streak in NCAA Division II to 19 matches dating back to the 2014 campaign.
  • The Lady Knights haven't lost at home in the regular season since a 2-1 setback against California (Pa.) on October 11, 2014.
  • Sharbaugh's game-tying goal was the first score of her career.
  • Gannon moved to 4-1-1 during its last six matches against Mercyhurst.

UP NEXT
  • Gannon returns to action Saturday, October 22 at Pitt-Johnstown.
  • Game time is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.
  • The contest is the second of a doubleheader that begins with the men's teams at 1 p.m.
  • Gannon is 4-0 all-time against Pitt-Johnstown, including a 2-0 victory last season at McConnell Family Stadium.
  • Live gameday statistics will be available at http://www.sidearmstats.com/upj/wsoc.
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Players Mentioned

Shannon Differ

#13 Shannon Differ

GK
5' 10"
Senior
Sport and Exercise Science
Olivia Sharbaugh

#21 Olivia Sharbaugh

F
5' 6"
Junior
Sport and Exercise 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
Olivia Sharbaugh

#21 Olivia Sharbaugh

5' 6"
Junior
Sport and Exercise Science
F
Kelsey O

#18 Kelsey O'Connor

5' 6"
Sophomore
Physician Assistant
F