ERIE, Pa. - For the second time in eight days, the Gannon men's soccer team was downed by Slippery Rock by a 2-1 score, this time needing double overtime to finish the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Tournament Quarterfinal match Thursday evening at Gannon University Field.
The match was just 39 seconds away from heading to a double-overtime tie, but Slippery Rock netted the game-winner in the final minute to advance to the PSAC Tournament semifinals. Following a throw in from Joshua Gray, the ball rattled around out front of the net and eventually bounced out towards an open Ryan Lutke. The freshman drilled the kick in to the top left corner of the goal and earned the Rock the trip to Mercyhurst Saturday to battle West Chester.
The technical first half saw neither team generate strong scoring chances and left the match scoreless after the first 45 minutes. Gannon held a slight 8-7 edge in shots, while each team took just one corner kick.
Slippery Rock ended the scoreless tie midway through the second half with a goal from Josh Brake. Off a corner kick from Gray, the ball cleared over the first set of players and found Brake on the back post. The sophomore's diving header left the Gannon keeper no chance at the stop and put the Rock up 1-0 at the 75:14 mark.
However, Gannon answered with a diving header of their own. The Golden Knights used a corner kick played in by
Gavin Linsell (Johannesburg, South Africa / King Edward VII) to set up the game-tying score. The redshirt freshman's original crossing pass was deflected back toward the corner by a Slippery Rock defender. Standing 15 yards closer, Linsell again played the ball across the front of the goal and found a charging
Ivan Tolic (Rovinj, Croatia / Sportska Gimnazija Zagreb) who headed the ball in the back of the net to knot up the score. It was the first career score for the sophomore defender.
Linsell nearly netted the game-winner with less 30 seconds left in regulation following a Slippery Rock foul. From 23-yards out the sophomore took the free kick and fired it just over the goal post.
The first overtime period saw each team take just one shot. Following a corner kick to open the second overtime, Gannon controlled the ball for the next four minutes, taking four shots, but the Rock connected on the last-minute throw in to earn the win.
Gannon finished with a 21-13 advantage in total shots, including a 4-1 edge in the second overtime. Each team had five corner kicks. The match featured five yellow cards and a total of 37 fouls.
Gannon fell to 12-5 with the loss while Slippery Rock improved to 10-3-6. Senior Clayton Master made seven saves in goal for the Rock to pick up the win.
Jason Barbarino (Pittsburgh, Pa. / Plum Senior) took the loss despite making five saves.
Gannon will now await the announcement of the NCAA Division II Tournament Field which will be announced Sunday evening. Please check back to gannonsports.com for details on a potential NCAA Tournament bid.
