BLOOMSBURG, Pa. – The Gannon men's soccer team fell just short in its bid for the first PSAC championship in program history on Sunday.
 
Host Bloomsburg scored twice in a seven-minute period midway through the second half, and Gannon's furious comeback fell short as the Huskies claimed the PSAC title with a 2-1 victory at Steph Pettit Stadium.
 
It was the first loss against of PSAC team this season for Gannon, which went 7-0-3 to win the PSAC West before beating West Chester 1-0 in the PIAA semifinal on Friday. Gannon dropped to 14-3-3 overall. Blomsburg improved to 15-3-2.
 
The first half was scoreless on Sunday, but Gannon had the advantage in possession and shots. GU outshot Bloom 13-2, including 4-1 in shots on goal, during the first 45 minutes.
 
However, Bloomsburg was able to break through first at the 56:53 mark off a throw-in that was deflected to the left side of the goal where Anthony Schlee one-timed into the net for a 1-0 lead.
 
Bloom's Parker Nickelsen then scored on a breakaway off a long pass to give the Huskies a 2-0 lead at the 63:54 mark.
 
Gannon continued to apply offensive pressure against Bloom and then finally broke through at the 78:28 mark. Sverre Orten (Orsta, Norway/Aalesund vgs) took a corner kick that the Bloom goalie tipped. After the ball, was kicked into traffic freshman Alander Soares (Caxias do Sul, Brazil/Escola Estadual de Ensino Medio Santa Catarina) scored into the left side of the net. It was the team-leading 12th goal for Soares.
 
Gannon attempted to get the equalizer in the last 11:32, but the goal never came.
 
"We gave it everything and just came up short," Gannon coach Billy Colton said. "First half was the best 45 (minutes) of the season. We just couldn't find that goal to get in front. We threw everything at them at the end. I'm proud of the team."
 
The Golden Knights finished with a 24-9 advantage in shots in the game. They had a 9-5 edge in shots on goal, but Bloom goalie Brady Rimple made eight saves.
 
 
What's ahead:
 
Gannon will almost certainly advance to the NCAA Tournament, and the Knights will learn their postseason fate on Monday evening during the NCAA Selection Show.