THE RUNDOWN
Final Score: Gannon 3, Slippery Rock 2
Records: Gannon (1-1-0) | Slippery Rock (0-1-0)
Location: McConnell Family Stadium | Erie, Pa.
The Short Story: Gannon used a strong wind to its advantage in the first half, ringing up three goals, then held on as Slippery Rock attempted a comeback to secure its first win of the spring season Sunday night at McConnell Family Stadium.
GAMEDAY MEDIA CENTER
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Windy conditions played to the Golden Knights' advantage in the first half, as the bulk of the period was played in their offensive half. Gannon got a couple shots off that were blocked, and Megan McCartney (Chicora, Pa./Karns City) got the Knights on the board with a step around a defender and a strike from 15 yards out for the first goal of the game in the 12th minute.
- Midway through the half, the Knights got some of their best chances of the game. McCartney nearly had her second, uncorking one from 30 yards out that required the Slippery Rock keeper to knock it away. The ensuing corner saw a pair of headers, as Leah Bermudez (Milton, Ontario/Jean Vanier Catholic) was blocked and Laurel Prokopchak's (Erie, Pa./Harbor Creek) slid just wide.
- It didn't take long after that for a corner to work, as a short pass set up a corner from the right side in the 39th. Leah Bermudez (Milton, Ontario/Jean Vanier Catholic) took a swing that was blocked, but the ball skipped right to Prokopchak in front, who slid it home passed the Rock defenders.
- Less than a minute later, Kayla Bevacqua (Welland, Ontario/Notre Dame) made it 3-0 with a touch to get into space just inside the box. She slotted her shot across the face of the goal and inside the right post to give the hosts a big lead.
- Slippery Rock got on the board with just seconds remaining in the half, as Gannon keeper Kennedy Solymosi (Eastlake, Ohio/Lake Catholic) came out after a ball and beat the offensive player to it. Her clear attempt was deflected though, and it ping-ponged right in front of the Rock's Rachel Edge, who had an open net for the finish with just eight seconds remaining in the period.
- Things slowed down in the second half, as Slippery Rock had the wind advantage and was able to maintain closer to a 50-50 share of the possession after Gannon held the ball for much of the first half. The Rock had most of the few opportunities, although Emma Manczka (Fairview, Pa./McDowell) kicked one of the most dangerous off the line in the 53rd.
- The Rock inched closer in the 75th minute, as a foul just outside the box set up a free kick. Georgia Nagucki lined up over it, and sent a knuckling shot into the right side of the net to make it a one-goal game.
- Taylor Lewis (Erie, Pa./Harbor Creek) nearly gave the Golden Knights some breathing room in the 81st, as her cross-goal shot careened off the post, and McCartney's follow-up was saved. Gannon was able to hold out the final nine minutes without another dangerous chance for the Rock to seal the win.
GAME NOTES
- Despite just a three-game spread, Sunday was the first regular-season victory in 501 days for the Golden Knights since topping Clarion on Nov. 6, 2019.
- McCartney's goal was the 10th of her career, bumping her up to a tie for 25th in the program record book.
- Propokchak's goal was the first of her career for the freshman.
- Gannon outshot the Rock 16-11, and posted a 4-1 advantage in corners.
UP NEXT
- Gannon is back in action with an exhibition contest against Penn State Behrend on Thursday, April 8 at McConnell Family Stadium.
