THE RUNDOWN
Final Score: Roberts Wesleyan 1, Gannon 0
Records: Gannon (0-1-0), Roberts Wesleyan (1-0-0)
Location: McConnell Family Stadium | Erie, Pa.
The Short Story: More than 16 months after its last game, the Gannon women's soccer team got back to action Sunday afternoon, outshooting Roberts Wesleyan, but a tough-luck goal gave the Redhawks a narrow 1-0 win.
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HOW IT HAPPENED
- Roberts Wesleyan was on the attack early, picking up five corner kicks in a two-plus minute span in the first five minutes of the game, but the Redhawks only managed one shot at the end of that action, and that slid wide.
- Gannon began finding its footing shortly after that though, beginning with shots from Laurel Prokopchak (Erie, Pa./Harbor Creek) and Kayla Bevacqua (Welland, Ontario/Notre Dame) that slipped just wide. A flurry of action late in the first half saw Taylor Lewis (Erie, Pa./Harbor Creek) take a crack off a corner kick that was saved, and Leah Bermudez's (Milton, Ontario/Jean Vanier Catholic) follow-up was blocked, keeping it scoreless at the break.
- The Golden Knights came out of halftime with a purpose, with three excellent opportunities in the first four minutes. A counterattack from Roberts — one of the few in the entire game for the Redhawks — proved to be the difference though, as an excellent through-ball set up Olivia Grande with 40 yards of open field and a one-on-one with the keeper. Jordan August (Morgantown, W. Va./Morgantown) nearly snagged the ball off her foot, but Grande chipped it just in time to score the only goal of the game.
- Gannon went back to work, maintaining possession for much of the rest of the game. The Knights got shots from Bevacqua, Lewis, Megan McCartney (Chicora, Pa./Karns City) and Prokopchak over the next 15 minutes, but Roberts Wesleyan had an answer for each, and managed to ice the game late.
GAME NOTES
- Sunday was the first game action in 497 days for the Golden Knights after its fall season was pushed back due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Gannon held a wide lead in shots, 19-3. Roberts' goal was its lone shot on goal of the day, while the Golden Knights put five on frame.
- After Roberts Wesleyan's flurry of corners early, Gannon managed to lead in that category for the game as well, 8-6.
- Bevacqua posted a game-high six shots, putting two on goal. Prokopchak managed three shots, putting two on goal, while McCartney and Logan Nicklas (Allison Park, Pa./Hampton) each had two shots.
UP NEXT
- Gannon continues its spring season Thursday, heading across town to face Penn State Behrend at 7 p.m.
- Thursday will be the first all-time meeting between the Golden Knights and the Lions.
