ERIE, Pa.- The West Chester University men's soccer team (2-2-1) put its two-game unbeaten streak to the test on Saturday afternoon at Gannon (2-1-2). West Chester battled throughout the afternoon, but a late first-half goal, coupled with another goal midway through the second half, was enough for Gannon to earn a 3-1 victory over the Golden Rams.
Rafa Hyde gave Gannon an early 1-0 lead just over five minutes in before
Maksym Komperda (Whitehall, Pa./Allentown Central Catholic) tied the game at 1-1 with a goal of his own in the 25
th minute.
Gannon broke the 1-1 tie just before the half when Sverre Orten, who had assisted on Hyde's goal, received an assist from Hyde to give the Golden Knights a 2-1 lead.
Gannon ended the first half with a 6-4 lead in shots and a 3-1 lead in corners through the first 45 minutes of the half.
In the 69
th minute, Jack Kenoyn stretched the Gannon lead to two with a goal of his own off assists from Per Kristian Lauvstad and Shota Toyama, extending the Golden Knight advantage to 3-1.
Gannon controlled possession for much of the second half, finishing the half with a 13-4 lead in shots and a 19-8 lead for the game, along with a 10-4 lead in shots on goal. The Golden Knights also finished the game with a 6-4 lead in corners.
Jaden Howard (Townsend, Del./Middletown) suffered the loss in goal but made five big saves to slow the dangerous Golden Knight offense.
Howard's counterpart, Samuel Alacron, made two saves in the victory.
Up Next
West Chester will be back in action at home on Saturday against California (Pa.), beginning at 1 p.m. on what will also be Senior Day for the Golden Rams.
