LHU Men’s Soccer edged by No. 12 Gannon

LOCK HAVEN – The Lock Haven men’s soccer team struck first and scored again late, but No. 12 Gannon outlasted the Bald Eagles, 3-2, to earn a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Western Division victory at Hubert Jack Stadium on Saturday afternoon (Nov. 2).

Prior to the start of the game, the Lock Haven men’s soccer team honored its six departing seniors: Brady Freiwald, James Bohner, Duc Do, Connor Swope, Alex Neal and Austin Kravetz for their dedication and contributions to the program.

With the result, Gannon (12-2-3, 6-0-3 PSAC West) extends its lead for the No. 1 seed in the PSAC West for the upcoming championship tournament. Lock Haven moves to 8-7-1 overall and 5-4 in the PSAC West, but still controls its own fate and can clinch a postseason berth with a victory over California (Pa.) in the regular-season finale next Friday.

In the first half, the Bald Eagles struck first to take a 1-0 lead in the ninth minute when Kade Black beat the Gannon keeper left after collecting a rebound off a shot from Connor Swope. The goal was the second of the season for Black, while Swope improved his team-leading assist total to eight.

Gannon, however, responded with goals in the 34th and 43rd minute to take a 2-1 lead heading into the break. Gannon led in overall shots, 8-5, but Lock Haven held a 4-3 advantage in shots on goal.

In the second half, the Knights extended their lead to 3-1 with their third unanswered goal.

Lock Haven cut the deficit to one with just over two minutes remaining when Austin Kravetz scored his second goal of the season off a beautiful set up by Matt Laudenslager and Bruno Torrance.

However, time was no longer on the Bald Eagles side and Gannon held on for the victory.

In net, Lock Haven keeper Ethan Beck finished with five saves.

On the attack, six different Bald Eagles recorded a shot on goal, led by two from Ryan Miller.

NEXT UP
The Bald Eagles close the book on the 2024 regular season on Friday (Nov. 8) when they travel to California (Pa.) for a crucial PSAC West match.