PAINESVILLE, Ohio – The Gannon men's soccer team opened its 2025 season with goals from
Shota Toyama (Kanagawa, Japan/Tama),
Enzo Rekka (Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina/Gymnasium of the Catholic School Centre "Sveti Franjo"), and
Sverre Orten (Orsta, Norway/Aalesund vgs), but a late strike from Lake Erie forced a 3-3 draw on Thursday evening. Orten's second-half goal gave the Golden Knights a brief 3-2 advantage before the Storm equalized in the 90th minute.
THE GAME FACTS
- Score: Gannon 3, Lake Erie 3
- Records: Gannon 0-0-1, Lake Erie 0-0-1
- Location: Jack Britt Memorial Stadium (Painesville, Ohio)
- Date: September 4, 2025
THE KNIGHT CAP
- Toyama on Target: Shota Toyama (Kanagawa, Japan/Tama) netted the opener in the 3rd minute off a feed from Orten.
- Rekka Levels It: Enzo Rekka (Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina/Gymnasium of the Catholic School Centre "Sveti Franjo") came off the bench to score in the 34th minute, tying the match at 2-2.
- Senior Leadership: Sverre Orten (Orsta, Norway/Aalesund vgs) produced a goal and an assist, including the 72nd-minute strike that put Gannon ahead.
- Balanced Attack: Three different goal scorers (Toyama, Rekka, Orten) found the back of the net for the Golden Knights.
- Offensive Pressure: Gannon outshot Lake Erie 19-14 and held an 11-3 edge in corner kicks.
- Storm Response: Lake Erie's Nicolas Vagujhelyi scored twice in the first half, and Lucas Howe provided the 90th-minute equalizer.
- Controlling Possession: The Golden Knights held 54% of the ball and created consistent chances with 19 total shots, including eight on frame.
- In Goal: Andre Moraes (Sao Bernardo do Campo, Brazil/Colegio Singular) finished with three saves in the season-opening draw.
UP NEXT
Gannon faces East Stroudsburg on Sunday, September 7, at Gregory-Douds Field at Eiler-Martin Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.
This story was written using the support of AI.
