CALIFORNIA (Oct. 26) – Facing a nationally-ranked opponent, the California University of Pennsylvania men's soccer team suffered a 2-0 loss against No. 8 Gannon on Saturday afternoon in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West play on Alumni Day at Phillipsburg Soccer Facility.
With the loss, the Vulcans fall to 3-5-3 overall with a 1-2-3 record in divisional action. Cal U saw its four-match unbeaten streak snapped after not suffering a loss since Oct. 2. Meanwhile, the Golden Knights improve to 12-1 behind a 5-1 mark in league action with their only loss coming against the Vulcans earlier this season.
Freshman
Chance Pursifull (Germantown, Ohio/Valley View) registered the first shot of the contest just outside the box in the opening minute, but the attempt was saved by the Gannon goalkeeper. The Golden Knights then tallied a pair of shots and three corner kicks over nearly a six-minute span, while the game physically picked up with eight fouls in the initial 20 minutes of the match. Gannon was forced down 10-men at the 23:50-mark after Alex Lee Yaw was issued a red card after receiving a yellow card just three minutes prior. Both teams would record a pair of shots over a two-plus minute span before senior goalkeeper
Joseph Valeriano (Southampton, N.J./Seneca) collected back-to-back saves to keep the game scoreless. The Golden Knights broke through at the 41:30-mark of the first half on a goal from Ben Andrews, his fifth of the season, on an assist from Tinashe Katsande to take a 1-0 advantage.
Gannon continued to control possession, while Valeriano was forced into two saves in the initial 20 minutes of the second half. The Golden Knights stretched the lead on a goal by Sergio Del Castillo into the bottom of the net on a cross from Katsande in the 67th minute, 2-0. In the closing minutes of the match, the Vulcans were awarded a penalty kick and sophomore
Abdulla Nuredini (Collegeville, Pa./Spring Ford) saw his shot saved and pushed out of play by the Gannon goalie.
Valeriano collected eight saves after tallying four stops in each half in 90 minutes of play. He has tallied 48 saves this season and has made at least seven stops in each of the last four matches.
Gannon held a 14-6 shot advantage, including a 10-2 lead in shots on goal, while also finishing with a 5-3 edge in corner kicks.
The Vulcans return to action on Wednesday, Oct. 30, when they travel to face Slippery Rock at 4 p.m.
