Box Score

Erie, Pa. – The Mercyhurst women's soccer team led 2-1 following a second-half penalty kick goal from Danielle Braun, but rival Gannon netted three unanswered goals for a 4-2 victory over the visiting Lakers Friday, Oct. 2.

The Lakers and Golden Knights played a spirited match, with much aggressiveness displayed by both sides. With the game in a 1-1 tie after halftime, the Lakers pressed forward, and in the 59th minute Danielle Braun took a penalty kick after a Gannon hand ball in the box. She struck a firm shot, beating keeper Sabrina Chirco to the left post for a 2-1 Laker lead.

Following Braun's goal, the Golden Knights carried play, outshooting Mercyhurst 9-1 over the remainder of the match. Laker keeper Rachel Griepsma made a brilliant save to preserve the lead, stopping Tenyka Francique from in tight at 61:08. Gannon's next shot found the back of the net, as Amanda Sharbaugh headed in a Francique cross in the 63rd minute to knot the game at two goals apiece.

In the 76th minute, Laura Piazza headed in a corner kick, a goal which proved to be the game-winner. Francique added an insurance marker, her second strike of the match, at 83:41, and the Golden Knights held Mercyhurst in check the rest of the match for a 4-2 victory.

With the win, Gannon improves to 6-3-1, 4-3-1 in PSAC West play, while the Lakers are now 7-4-1, 5-2-1 in divisional competition.

For the match, the Golden Knights outshot the Lakers 20-15, including 12-4 in the second half. Gannon placed 11 shots on target to Mercyhurst's five, and GU held an 8-2 edge in corner kicks.

Griepsma made seven saves for the Lakers, while Chirco stopped three shots, allowing two goals in the victory.

Gannon struck first in the match, as Francique blasted a free kick from 30 yards away which eluded the Laker defense before tucking inside the post at 29:58 for a 1-0 Golden Knight lead.

The Lakers answered nearly six minutes later, as Jamie Schroter's corner kick was headed into the net by Braedyn Ordway 34:53 into the match. The goal was Ordway's first of the season and tied the match at 1-1.

The win was the first all-time for the Golden Knights over Mercyhurst, as the Lakers had gone 22-0-4 against Gannon dating back to the beginning of the rivalry in 1987.

Schroter recorded her third assist of 2009, giving her 28 for her career. She has passed Erin Stewart into fourth place all-time in Mercyhurst history, one behind Veronica Sansom.

Braun has scored a goal in each of the last two games. The Lakers' last penalty kick goal before Braun's strike Friday occurred Sept. 9, 2007, when Adrienne Sluga scored from the penalty spot against W. Va. Wesleyan.

The Lakers will next play host to PSAC East opponent Mansfield Sunday, Oct. 11 at 1:30 p.m.