CALIFORNIA, Pa. – Rafa Hyde (São José dos Campos, Brazil/Objetivo Aquarius) and Per Kristian Lauvstad (Nesoya, Norway) each scored twice as the Gannon men's soccer team continued its strong start to conference play with a 6-1 victory over California (Pa.) on Wednesday evening at Phillipsburg Soccer Facility.
Gannon improved to 7-1-1 overall and 3-0-0 in conference play, while California (Pa.) fell to 3-4-3 overall and 2-1-0 in league action. The Golden Knights scored four times in the opening 30 minutes and carried a 4-0 advantage into halftime.
Hyde opened the scoring in the ninth minute with his eighth goal of the season before Lauvstad doubled the lead just 50 seconds later. Jensen Peake (Staffordshire, England/Friary) and Ryko Bodurov (Columbus, Ohio/Olentangy Berlin) assisted on Lauvstad's fifth goal of the year. Hyde struck again at 11:16 for his ninth goal, giving Gannon a 3-0 advantage less than 12 minutes into the match.
Peake added his first goal of the season in the 30th minute to send the Golden Knights into halftime ahead 4-0. California (Pa.) got on the board in the 59th minute on Jaime Marcelo Espinosa's sixth goal of the year, but Gannon answered when Lauvstad scored his second of the night at 70:07 off another assist from Bodurov.
David Ivascu (Vaughan, Ontario/St. Elizabeth Catholic) completed the scoring in the 89th minute, converting a penalty kick for his fifth goal of the season and the final 6-1 margin.
THE GAME FACTS
Score: Gannon 6, California (Pa.) 1
Records: Gannon 7-1-1 (3-0-0), California (Pa.) 3-4-3 (2-1-0)
Location: Phillipsburg Soccer Facility | California, Pa.
Date: Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026
THE KNIGHT CAP
- Fast Start: Gannon scored three times in a span of just over three minutes, with Hyde finding the net at 8:11 and 11:16 and Lauvstad scoring at 9:01.
- Hyde Reaches Nine: Hyde's two-goal performance pushed his season total to nine. He finished with two goals on two shots.
- Two for Lauvstad: Lauvstad also scored twice, bringing his season total to six goals. He finished with four shots and two shots on goal.
- Peake Makes an Impact: Peake recorded his first goal of the season and also assisted on Lauvstad's first goal.
- Bodurov Sets Up Two: Bodurov finished with two assists, setting up both of Lauvstad's goals.
- Ivascu Adds the Finisher: Ivascu converted a penalty kick in the 89th minute for his fifth goal of the season.
- Efficient Attack: Gannon put seven of its 11 shots on goal and scored six times despite California (Pa.) holding a 17-11 advantage in total shots.
- Lindner Gets the Win: Caspar Lindner (London, England/Queens Park Community) played all 90 minutes and made three saves while allowing one goal.
- Set-Piece Advantage: The Golden Knights finished with an 8-4 advantage in corner kicks.
UP NEXT
Gannon returns to action on Saturday, Oct. 3, when the Golden Knights travel to West Chester for a noon kickoff.
