ERIE, Pa. – A 2-0 scoreline is indeed the most dangerous in the game of soccer, and, despite conceding a late second half goal, the No. 12-ranked Gannon University men's soccer team held on to defeat Ashland University, 2-1. Both teams seemed to have an attacking mindset in the first half but it was Gannon who struck first from a set piece in the 19^th minute. Lennox Crews (Offenbach, Germany/Leibnizschule) whipped in a cross to the near post and Bek Nurlanbek leapt up and volleyed it into the top corner with his right boot for the 1-0 lead.
 
Tinashe Katsande (Norwich, England/Dereham Sixth Form College) would have a goal disallowed later in the half, but he officially got on the scoresheet in the 37^th minute, when James Pool (Hastings, England/Claverham) surged into the box past the Ashland defense and slid the ball to Katsande, who put the gentlest of touches on it to send it rolling past the keeper to make the score 2-0.
 
Gannon goalkeeper and PSAC West Men's Soccer Defensive Athlete of the Week Maximiliano Rocco (Florence, S.C.) made several great reaction saves (finishing the game with a total of six) but could not stop a fantastic effort in the 84th minute from Ashland's Brandon Davidson,  who launched a shot from way outside the box and curved it just inside the far post. The goal made it 2-1 and caused a frantic finish to the game, but the Gannon defense did not break down again and secured the victory.
 
Lennox Crews (Offenbach, Germany/Leibnizschule) once again played the full 90 minutes, making him the only player on the team to play every possible minute of every match. Four players (Crews, Katsande, Furkan Yildirim (Berlin, Germany/Thomas Mann Gymnasium), and Sergio Del Castillo (Madrid, Spain/)) are tied for the team lead in total points with four each. Katsande, Yildirim, and Del Castillo all have scored two goals in 2021.
 
Freshman Herman Aanberg (Hamar, Norway/Wang Toppidrett Oslo) earned his first start of the season and looked very dangerous going forward, registering three shots in the game.
 
The Golden Knights return to the pitch this Sunday, Sept. 12 at 1:00 p.m. to host the University of the District of Columbia and wrap up a stretch of four games in seven days.