James Pool
Jeff Kirik
3
Winner Franklin Pierce Frank (12-2-5, 4-1-4)
2
Gannon Gannon (14-4-3, 7-0-3)
Winner
Franklin Pierce Frank
(12-2-5, 4-1-4)
3
Final
2
Gannon Gannon
(14-4-3, 7-0-3)
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 OT 1 F
Franklin Pierce Frank 0 2 1 3
Gannon Gannon 1 1 0 2

Game Recap: Men's Soccer | | Bob Shreve, Assistant Director of Athletics Media Relations

Golden Knights Season Comes to an End in Heartbreaking Fashion with 3-2 Loss to Franklin Pierce

ERIE, Pa. – The Gannon men's soccer team saw its season come to an end in a most unlikely and cruel manner. The Golden Knights lost 3-2 in overtime to two-time defending national champion Franklin Pierce as the Ravens now advance to the third round.

The number four seed in Super Regional 1, Gannon appeared on the verge of ending No. 5 seed Franklin Pierce's reign as Division II national champion. The Golden Knights held a 2-0 lead early in the second half only to see the Ravens rally to tie the match and send it into overtime.

The match came to a sudden end on an innocent enough play, with Franklin Pierce kicking the ball into the Gannon end. The ball went to Pau Ferrer (Valencia, Spain/ISES Isabel de Villena), who headed the ball back to the goal from 25 yards out. Goalkeeper Andre Moraes (Sao Bernardo do Campo, Brazil/Colegio Singular) was coming up to field the ball, however, and was unable to backtrack quick enough as the ball rolled into the net for an own goal. The end came with 3:23 remaining in the first overtime period.

The loss ended Gannon's season at 14-4-3 while Franklin Pierce moves on in an attempt to win its third straight national championship at 12-2-5. The Ravens also ended Gannon's season a year ago with a 1-0 victory in the Elite Eight.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Franklin Pierce spent most of the first half in Gannon's end of the field, but goalkeeper Andre Moraes (Sao Bernardo do Campo, Brazil/Colegio Singular) was equal to the task. The Golden Knights would swing the momentum on their first true scoring opportunity. Sverre Orten's (Orsta, Norway/Aalesund vgs) free kick from 40 yards out on the right side found Rafa Hyde (São José dos Campos, Brazil) in front of the goal. The sophomore soared about a teammate and two defenders and headed the ball into the far right side of the net, eluding goalkeeper Karl Vernet at 24:48. It was Hyde's 11th goal of the season.

Franklin Pierce held a 9-3 advantage in shots at the half and had four corner kicks to one for the Golden Knights. Andre Moraes (Sao Bernardo do Campo, Brazil/Colegio Singular) had five saves in the first half alone to match his season high. He had five in four other matches.

Gannon increased the lead to 2-0 at the 53:50 mark on James Pool's (Hastings, England/Claverham) fifth goal of the season. The graduate student followed a shot by Pau Ferrer (Valencia, Spain/ISES Isabel de Villena) that was saved by Vernet but rebounded to Pool. Pool was there to clean it up for a 2-0 lead.

Franklin Pierce cut the lead in half just over a minute later on a penalty in the box. Aaron Sanchez blasted the ensuing penalty kick past Moraes to make it 2-1 at 55:04.

The Ravens pressed on throughout the rest of the half and finally broke through with the tying goal at 77:38. Tiago Barriguinha scored the goal on a blast from over 35 yards out, assisted by Joao Araujo.

BY THE NUMBERS
Franklin Pierce ended with a 20-8 advantage in shots and had an 8-2 edge in corner kicks.
Rafa Hyde (São José dos Campos, Brazil) ended the season with 11 goals, second on the team. James Pool (Hastings, England/Claverham) scored his fifth goal of the season and ended his career with 24 career goals.

Goalkeeper Andre Moraes (Sao Bernardo do Campo, Brazil/Colegio Singular) posted a season-high eight saves in goal. 
 
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