ERIE, Pa. – The Gannon men's soccer team's hopes for a first PSAC title were foiled by a defensive-minded West Chester team.

The Golden Knights entered PSAC semifinals leading the conference in scoring by a wide margin, but the Golden Rams held GU scoreless for more than 88 minutes on the way to a 2-1 victory at McConnell Family Stadium on Friday afternoon.

It was the first loss of the season for No. 7-ranked Gannon, which dropped to 16-1-2 on the season. West Chester moved to 11-4-4 and earned a berth in Sunday's title game. The Golden Rams will meet a familiar foe in PSAC East rival Millersville, which shut out Seton Hill 6-0 in the other semifinal on Friday night.

With its No. 3 ranking in Super Region One earlier this week, Gannon is still in line to make the NCAA Tournament. The NCAA field will be announced Monday night.

Gannon entered Friday's game with 68 goals, 25 more goals than the next closest team in the PSAC.

However, West Chester's tight defense, combined with a few spectacular saves by goalie Daniel Good, held Gannon in check throughout the first half and a large majority of the second half.

Good's finest moment came a little over 2 minutes into the second half when Gannon forward Tinashe Katsande (Norwich, England/Dereham Sixth Form College) took a penalty kick after a West Chester foul in the box. Good guessed correctly, broke to his right as Katsande shot, and made a beautiful save.

West Chester struck twice in the first half. Frankie Taylor opened the scoring when he found the net off an assist by Jack Dieffenderfer at the 30:44 mark. Less than 7 minutes later, Dieffenderfer scored to make off assists by Mason Clatterbuck and Josh Daniels to make it 2-0.

Gannon outshot West Chester 20-10 and finished with a 6-5 edge in shots on goal.

The Golden Knights finally scored when Rafa Hyde (São José dos Campos, Brazil) connected on a penalty kick with 1:35 remaining in the game. Gannon scrambled over the final 95 seconds but could not get the equalizer.

Gannon's Samuel Alarcon (Madrid, Spain/Colegio el Valle II) took the loss in goal as he made three saves.