ERIE, Pa.- For the third time in as many years, the West Chester University men's soccer team (10-6-3) squad off against the top-seed from the PSAC West in Gannon (12-2-4) in search of a victory to return to its first conference final since 2023. West Chester took an early 1-0 lead and found itself tied 1-1 at the half but Gannon earned the home victory by a 2-1 final after a late second half penalty kick broke the tie.
Maksym Komperda (Whitehall, Pa./Allentown Central Catholic) gave West Chester an early lead in the 19
th minute when he finished an assist from
Owen Slack (Collegeville, Pa./Perkiomen Valley) to give the visitors the early 1-0 advantage.
West Chester threatened for more moments later as a chance by
Luke Newman (Mission Viejo, Cal./Santa Margarita Catholic) was blocked in the 22
nd minute before another chance by Newman was saved in the 29
th minute.
Just before halftime, Gannon tied the game when Per Kristian Lauvstad beat a leaping
Alexi Amanatidis (Huntingdon Valley, Pa./The Shipley School) off an assist from Kasper Alfei Saebo.
Despite the game being tied at 1-1 at the half, West Chester ended the first half with a 13-8 lead in shots and a 4-3 lead in shots on goal, although Gannon had a slim 3-2 lead in corners.
With under 15 minutes to play in the match, Sverre Orten won a penalty kick for the Golden Knights and converted this opportunity to give the Golden Knights a late 2-1 lead.
West Chester pressed down the stretch but did not record a shot as the Golden Knights stiffened defensively to escape with a 2-1 victory over the upset-minded Golden Rams.
West Chester ended the game with a 17-15 lead in shots and a 6-5 lead in shots on goal, along with a 5-4 lead in corners.
Amanatidis made three saves in the loss, while Andre Moraes made five saves to send the defending Champion Golden Knights back to the PSAC Championship game once again in 2025.
West Chester will now await the NCAA Division II Men's Soccer selection show on Monday evening to learn if its 2025 season will continue into the NCAA Tournament for the second time in three seasons.
