ERIE, PA - An early lead was not enough for Gannon to hold on to in the opening game of the 2025 WWPA Erie Classic. A strong first period saw GU even at four, but McKendree outscored Gannon 8-2 in the middle 16 minutes to claim the victory. Gannon drops to 6-11 on the season and will face Salem later this afternoon.

HOW IT HAPPENED
-GU started out with a roar on offense. Jake Strickland got a feed from Ellie Velasco (Bronx, Calif./Arlington) and scored just 56 seconds into the game. 

-That scoring barrage continued through the first eight minutes. Carissa Jones (Allison Park, Pa./North Allegheny) notched her first on the powerplay, and Kerstyn Farley (Orlando, Fla./Lake Nona) doubled the lead to 3-1 just 39 seconds later. Gannon got one more first period goal late in the quarter when Delaney Chrysle (Banning, Calif./Beaumont) dented the twice, and it was 4-2 Golden Knights. 

-McKendree proceeded to net the next seven goals. Tying the game at the end of the first period, GU yielded two second period goals and the first three in the third. McKendree earned those goals on three even strength tallies, a powerplay, and a penalty shot goal. 

-Gannon finally got back on the scoreboard midway through the third. Ellie Velasco (Bronx, Calif./Arlington) found the net to cut things to 9-5, and Emma O'Gorman (Johannesburg, South Africa/St Stithians College) notched her first with 1:59 left in the period. McKendree would then score three more times to build a 14-6 lead, before four alternating goals ended the game, resulting in a 15-8 win for the visitors.

-Strickland was the only Golden Knight with multiple goals, while seven different players found the net. Molly Sebunia (Erie, Pa./McDowell) (6 GA, 2 sv) & Izabella Trunzo (Pittsburgh, Pa./North Allegheny) (9 GA, 3 sv) each played a half in goal.

NEXT UP
Gannon will play Salem later today at 5:00 pm as they continue the WWPA Erie Classic.