Scoreboard

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Sergio Kobowane took a team-high six shots, two on goal, against Notre Dame (Ohio) in Thursday's 2017 season opener.

Men's Soccer 8/31/2017 9:16:00 PM Levi Rex, Assistant Director of Athletics Media Relations

Gannon Men's Soccer Drops Season Opener to Notre Dame (Ohio)

THE RUNDOWN

Final Score: Notre Dame (Ohio) 3, Gannon 0
Records: Notre Dame (Ohio) 1-0, Gannon 0-1
Location: Erie, Pa. – McConnell Family Stadium
The Short Story – The Gannon Men's Soccer team outshot Notre Dame (Ohio) in the 2017 season opener by a 19-9 margin but never found net, dropping a 3-0 decision to the visiting Falcons.

GAMEDAY CENTRAL

HOW IT HAPPENED

Gannon's Sergio Kobowane (Johannesburg, South Africa/King Edward VII) was pressing the Falcon defense early on. He initiated the first three Gannon shots on goal in the first 18 minutes.
Notre Dame (Ohio) was the first to net a goal after Gannon was unable to clear a ball in the box at the 36:32 mark. Giulio Bellei lined up a shot past the diving Gannon goalie.
The Falcons took a 1-0 lead to halftime despite being outshot 8-2 in the half.
Bellei went back-to-back for NDC in the 59^th minute with his second goal of the match. Leonardo Paiva set up Bellei to go one-on-one with the goalie and he slipped it into the net.
NDC added its third and final goal in the 71^st minute off the foot of Paiva. Paiva weaved down the field and deposited the ball in net for his first goal of the season.
Gannon had several looks in the second half that were mere inches from going in the goal. George Stannard (Hull, England/Cottingham) and Tyler Martin (Cambridge, Ontario/Monsignor Doyle) both had near goals late in competition.

GAME NOTES

Gannon edged Notre Dame in shots (19-9) and corner kicks (15-1).
The Golden Knights' 15 corner kicks were the most since Oct. 24, 2015. Gannon had 19 kicks in a 2-0 victory over Pitt-Johnstown.
Notre Dame (Ohio)'s Leonardo Paiva led the nation with 25 goals in 2016. He's third all-time at NDC with 45 career goals after his goal on Thursday.
The Falcons received four yellow cards while the Golden Knights only had two.

UP NEXT

Gannon hosts the No. 2-ranked Charleston (W.Va.) Golden Eagles on Saturday, Sept. 2. Charleston (W.Va.) advanced to the NCAA Division II National Championship game last season.
The Golden Knights dropped a 1-0 decision to the Golden Eagles in 2016, giving up the decisive goal in the 88^th minute.
Gannon and Charleston will begin at 7 p.m. from McConnell Family Stadium.
Live video and live stats will be available for the match.

Players Mentioned

#6 George Stannard: D; 6' 5"; Redshirt Senior; Sports Management and Marketing