ERIE, Pa. - - Gannon took advantage of playing a man-up for over 65 minutes on Saturday, defeating the Wilmington University men's soccer team, 5-2, in nonconference action at McConnell Family Stadium.
Gannon (3-1), who received votes in this week's United Soccer Coaches Division II National Poll, scored three goals following the red card in the first half. The Wildcats (0-3-1) scored twice in the second half but could not keep up with the firepower of the Knights.
The Knights scored three goals in a span of 4:09, getting on the board at the 27:34 mark. Another goal came 29:23 into the match and the third with 31:43 expired. The Wildcats went down a man at the 24:31 mark of the contest.
The Wildcats were first on the board in the second half, as Lenny Greifenberg was fouled in the box after a nice give-and-go with Niklas Kleinert. Theo Faillon finished off the penalty kick, his second converted attempt on the year, for his third goal of the year to make it 3-1 in the 73rd minute.
Gannon didn't allow the Wildcats to inch any closer though, scoring in the 78th and 81st minutes to open a 5-1 advantage. The Wildcats did get one back in the 83rd minute, however, as Gannon knocked the ball into their own net. Patrick Keys placed Jhamaleek Porter into space down the middle and he was in on goal by himself. A Knight defender came tracking back and his sliding clearance from atop the 18-yard box popped over a drawn out keeper and into the back of the net for an own goal.
Gannon outshot the Wildcats, 26-10, including 12-3 in shots on goal. They also earned more corners, 7-1, than the Wildcats. Charlie Phillips made seven saves in goal for the Wildcats.
The Wildcats open Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference play with their next game, heading to Plymouth Whitemarsh High School on Wednesday night to take on Chestnut Hill. The opening kick-off is set for 7:00 p.m.