Box Score
ERIE, Pa. – Connor Malarney scored a pair of goals and Ricky Williamson scored a goal and registered an assist as West Chester University’s men’s soccer team picked up its second surprise decision in as many days with a 3-2 victory over No. 12 Gannon at Sox Harrison Stadium on the campus of Edinboro University Saturday afternoon.
West Chester (6-9-1, 1-6-1 PSAC), who earned a 1-1 tie at No. 4 Mercyhurst on Friday, upset 12th-ranked Gannon (11-6-0, 4-4-0) Saturday. The Golden Rams are now 2-1-1 on the year against nationally ranked opponents. The three points gained by West Chester this weekend are the first three points in league play.
Malarney’s team-leading seventh goal of the year in the 84th minute broke a 2-2 tie and proved to be the game-winner. It came almost exactly three minutes after Gannon had gotten the equalizer and looked as though the Golden Knights were going to force overtime.
Malarney and Williamson had given West Chester a 2-0 lead by halftime with a pair of first half goals. Williamson assisted on Malarney’s first goal of the contest, before doubling the score in the 25th minute.
A pair of tallies from Gannon’s Afrim Latifi in the second half rallied the Knights.
West Chester senior goalkeeper Peter Weiss made 11 saves in 90 minutes of action. He, once again, stole the show defensively, backstopping the Golden Rams to the win.
Gannon starting keeper Michael Kickel played the first 25 minutes and made one save before being sent off with a red card. Jason Barbarino finished up in goal and made eight saves, suffering the loss for the Knights, who had to play a man down after their keeper was sent off.
Williamson converted the penalty kick on the red card to put West Chester in front, 2-0.
Jake Maxwell assisted on Malarney’s game-winner in the second half.
West Chester concludes its 2010 campaign next Saturday at Millersville.
