Gannon University Athletics

The Gannon University women's soccer players faced plenty of disruptions on Friday as they opened the NCAA Tournament.

The Golden Knights had to deal with a change from their homefield because of unplayable conditions at McConnell Family Stadium. They also had to play in a downpour caused by the remnants of Tropical Storm Nicole.

Coach Colin Petersen's team still turned in one of its strongest all-around performances of the season.

Freshman Holly Gray (Gold Coast, Australia) scored on a header late in the first half, and the Golden Knights added two second-half goals off corner kicks as they defeated Fairmont State 3-0 in an NCAA Division Atlantic Regional first-round game at Penn State Behrend's soccer stadium.

Gray's goal was made possible by an outstanding effort from sophomore Jamie Seneca (Plum, Pa./Plum), who kept the ball in play near the back line and then sent a perfect crossing pass to a waiting Gray on the left side. She headed into the left side of the goal over a diving goalie for her fourth goal of the year.
 

Gannon led 1-0 at halftime, but the Golden Knights found a new gear in the second half. They dominated possession throughout the half and struck twice on corner kicks.

Sophomore midfielder Gabby Boden (Butler, Pa./Butler) delivered both corner kicks and got an assist on each goal. The first one went to Leah Bermudez (Milton, Ontario/Jean Vanier Catholic) for a goal at the 61:19 mark. A second Boden kick found freshman midfielder Ella Fadale (Brockport, N.Y./Brockport), who headed it in for the goal despite being in heavy traffic. It was Fadale's eighth goal, which ranks second on the team.

Boden now leads the Knights with 10 assists, most of them on corner kicks.  

Gannon stayed on the attack throughout the second half, giving Fairmont State few opportunities to score. The Golden Knights outshot the Fighting Falcons 24-8 and finished with a 9-1 advantage in shots on goal.
Fairmont State, the Mountain East Conference champion, closed the season at 12-4-5.

Gannon improved to 15-3-4 and will advance to the Atlantic Regional semifinal against Kutztown on Sunday at 3 p.m. at McConnell Family Stadium. The forecast is for temperatures in the 30s.

Kutztown (10-5-4), the No. 7 seed, advanced with an impressive 3-0 win over No. 2 seed Frostburg State in the first game at Penn State Behrend. Kayla Argen had a goal and two assists to lead the Golden Bears.