WEST CHESTER, Pa.- Riding a three-game winning streak and four-game unbeaten streak, the West Chester University men's soccer team (7-3-2) took a short break from PSAC East play to take on No. 16 Gannon (7-2-2) on what was also Senior Day on Rockwell Field. West Chester battled throughout the afternoon and generated a host of solid opportunities vs. the 16th-ranked Golden Knights, but it was two first-half goals that lifted Gannon to a 2-0 victory over the home-standing Golden Rams.
At halftime of Saturday's game, West Chester honored its seven-player senior class, which included
Tommy Bodenschatz (Royersford, Pa./Spring-Ford), Jack Dieffenderfer (Lewisburg, Pa./Lewisburg), Devven Frey (Wyomissing, Pa./Wilson), Cooper Jackson (Sinking Spring, Pa./Wilson, Eric Johnson (Townsend, Del./Middletown), Phil Udo-Inyang (Havertown, Pa./Haverford), and Christian Vorchheimer (Ambler, Pa./Wissahickon).
Gannon scored a pair of goals in the first half, taking the lead in the 18th minute when Bautista Corti finished off a corner from Shota Toyama before reigning PSAC West Rookie of the Year, Rafa Hyde doubled the lead with a rocket from the top of the box in the 31st minute.
The first half was not without chances for West Chester as the Golden Rams pressured the Golden Knight defense throughout the opening frame and took seven shots in the period, although only one found its way on goal.
West Chester continued to pressure Gannon in the second half, outshooting the Golden Knights 10-4 and ending the half with a 2-1 lead in corners but the Gannon defense, led by five saves from Andre Moraes was up to the task, handing West Chester its first home loss of 2024.
The Golden Rams ended the match with a slim 17-15 lead in shots and a 4-3 lead in corners, while Gannon ended with a 10-5 lead in shots on goal.
Jaden Howard (Townsend, Del./Middletown) was excellent once again for West Chester, making eight tremendous saves to slow the potent Golden Knight offense.
Today's setback is West Chester's first loss on Rockwell Field since November 3, 2023, and the first time the Golden Rams have been held scoreless at home since October 25, 2023, vs. Millersville.
Up Next:
West Chester is back in action next Saturday afternoon at Bloomsburg, beginning at 2 p.m., before returning home on October 23 for its final home game of the regular season vs. Shippensburg at 2:30 p.m.
