The Gannon University women's soccer team knew it had a good chance of making the NCAA Division II Tournament.
The Golden Knights, however, were pleasantly surprised to learn that they were a No. 3 seed and the host of an Atlantic Regional four-team pod.
After the off-the-field drama, Gannon is ready to get back on the McConnell Family Stadium turf in the NCAA Tournament, and the task won't be any easy one.
Coach
Colin Petersen's No. 3-seeded Golden Knights, who enter the Regional with a 14-3-4 record, will face a difficult first-round game against a strong Fairmont State team on Friday at 3 p.m. The Fighting Falcons are the No. 6 seed in the Atlantic Regional after winning the Mountain East Conference Tournament.
Fairmont State prevailed in the MEC title game against Frostburg State, the No. 2 team in the Atlantic Regional. The Fighting Falcons tied the Bobcats 0-0 but won 4-3 on penalty kicks. Frostburg (18-1-2) had beaten Fairmont twice during the regular season by scores of 3-0 and 1-0.
Frostburg State will meet PSAC East member Kutztown (9-5-4) in the weekend opener on Friday at noon at McConnell Family Stadium. The winners of Friday's two games will meet in the Atlantic Regional semifinals on Sunday at 3 p.m.
The winner of Sunday's game will advance to the Atlantic Regional title game to play the winner of the three-team pod hosted by West Chester.
TOUGH OPPONENT FOR GANNON
Gannon, which will play its sixth consecutive home game, is coming off a 3-0 loss to West Chester in the PSAC Championship.
The Golden Knights are led by senior forward
Sarah Fails (Girard, Pa./Villa Maria), who was the PSAC West Athlete of the Year after leading the PSAC with 12 goals and 29 points. Defender
Leah Bermudez (Milton, Ontario/Jean Vanier Catholic) and midfielders
Ella Fadale (Brockport, N.Y./Brockport) and
Gabby Boden (Butler, Pa./Butler) were also PSAC West All-Stars, while goalie
Kennedy Solymosi (Eastlake, Ohio/Lake Catholic) had tied school career records with 15 shutouts and 34 victories in goal.
Fairmont State outscored its opponents 35-13 this season, thanks in large part to dynamic scorer Kiera Kuzinski, who is tied for seventh in the nation with 17 goals and tied for 17th in D-II with 36 points. The 5-foot-8 junior already has 34 career goals.
She was All-MEC First Team along with senior goalie Taylor Kennedy and senior defender Ari Christiansen. Lesbia Alejandra Puerto Sorto has been a standout freshman forward who made the All-MEC Second Team, along with senior midfielder Mackenzie Gillispie.
FRIDAY'S FIRST GAME
Frostburg State is ranked No. 15 nationally in the United Soccer Coaches poll and has outscored its opponents by a staggering 51-10 total.
The Bobcats' top scorer is junior forward Toni Fiocco-Mizer, who has 14 goals, 5 assists and 33 points. Mackenzie Alonso, Leia Clark, Carolyn DeSena, and Catherine Smith all have at least five goals.
Frostburg State's Abbey Dennis was the co-Defensive Player of the Year in the MEC. Brian Parker was MEC Coach of the Year.
For Kutztown, Kayla Argen is the leading offensive threat with seven goals, eight assists and 22 points. Isabella Rossetti has six goals. Both players were All-PSAC East First Team.
TICKETS
(All ticket sales are Cash Only)
Ticket windows at McConnell Family Stadium open one hour before each session:
Adults: $6
Student with ID: $4
Senior Citizens: $4
Children, ages 2-12: $4
Children under the age of 2 shall be admitted free when accompanied by a paying adult.
