ERIE, Pa. – In a match that featured a traditional mid-November Erie snowstorm, the Gannon University men's soccer team could not find a goal and fell to the Millersville Marauders in the 2021 PSAC Men's Soccer Championship Game on Sunday afternoon. It is the third consecutive PSAC men's soccer title for Millersville, while Gannon (which has appeared in three of the last four championship games) has never won a PSAC title.
 
Gannon goalkeeper Maximiliano Rocco (Florence, S.C.) was brilliant in the first half, making five critical saves and keeping the Knights' hopes alive. The Marauders' attack was relentless on the day, tallying 23 shots (13 on goal) compared to Gannon's eight total (with just one on frame.) Rocco made 10 saves in the match but was finally beaten in the second half by goals from Millersville's Matteo Adiletta and Anthony Calamia.
 
Millersville's offense created plenty of chances in the first half, beginning in the seventh minute with a corner kick. The ball found the head of Devven Frey for a free header but Rocco was there to get in front it and deflect it away. Moments later, the ball fell for Spencer Short on the near side and his follow-up shot was also parried away by Rocco. The weather continued to deteriorate throughout the first half, with the turf at Mercyhurst University's Saxon Stadium becoming extremely slick.
 
Despite the conditions, Sergio Del Castillo (Madrid, Spain)--who is always a threat for the Knights--almost made some magic in the 36^th minute. Joe Knox (Gold Coast, Australia/The Southport School) headed the ball ahead for Del Castillo, who was sprinting into the box. He took a touch but the Marauder defense collapsed quickly to deny a one-on-one opportunity with Ville keeper Bobby Bosch. One minute later, it was the Marauders' turn, as the ball squeaked through down the right wing for Richy Valverde, who stayed onside. He cut the ball back for Matteo Adiletta, who fired on frame, but Rocco again came to the rescue, diving to his right with full extension to push the ball wide.
 
Gannon almost broke through again in the 59^th minute when Bek Nurlanbek (Almaty, Kazakhstan/Loughborough College) dribbled down the right wing and curved a low cross into the box, flashing in front of goal. Benjamin Querling (Zuelpich, Germany/Emil-Fischer Gymnasium) arrived just a split second too late to get the shot off but he would have another great look in the 63^rd minute, when Del Castillo found him with a brilliant ball into the box. Querling had plenty of space to shoot but booted it high over the crossbar.
 
The first goal of the game arrived in the 66^th minute, as Millersville quickly took a throw-in on the far sideline to get the ball to Bob Hennessey. He picked out Adiletta in the box with a cross and Adiletta pulled the ball past Rocco into the bottom left corner of the net. The Marauders added a second goal in the 69^th minute in a similar fashion, as Matt Lynch got free down the left wing and crossed a diagonal ball for Anthony Calamia at the top of the box. He smashed it into the net to give the Marauders a two-goal lead.
 
The all-time series between Gannon and Millersville—tied 7-7 heading into Sunday's match—now tilts slightly in favor of the Marauders.

Gannon awaits tomorrow's NCAA Division II Men's Soccer Selection Show on Monday, Nov. 15 at 6:30 p.m. to find out if and when the team's season will continue in the 2021 Division II Men's Soccer Tournament. The selection show can be viewed online here.