LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – After the start of the match was delayed over two full hours because of weather, the Lock Haven University men's soccer team (0-1-1) fell to No. 12 Gannon University (2-0), 4-1, on the turf at Hubert Jack Stadium. Today's contest served as Lock Haven's 2021 home-opener.
Despite the two teams enduring the lengthy weather delay, both teams quickly went to work and combined for four first-half goals. The nationally-ranked visitors led 3-1 at halftime and Gannon added one goal in the second half.
Andrea DiSomma (Lancaster, Pa./Manheim Township) netted Lock Haven's lone goal.
Both
Dean Lewis (Belfast, Northern Ireland/Model Boys School) and
Connor Swope (Dillsburg, Pa./Northern York) played well in their home debuts, while
Chase Tackett (Bethlehem, Pa./Liberty) also turned in a notable workmanlike effort.
Beckham Sibiski (Kutztown, Pa./Kutztown H.S.) picked up the assist on LHU's tally.
Gannon took the lead just 7:03 into the match, but the Bald Eagles tied it 1-1 in the 27
th minute.
DiSomma ran onto a long ball played in by Sibiski and cut past the last defender and finished into an open net after expertly rounding the Gannon goalkeeper.
Less than a minute after Lock Haven tied the match, the visitors took a 2-1 lead (28
th minute) and Furkan Yildirim made it 3-1 in the 43
rd minute.
Gannon capped the game's scoring in the 59
th minute.
Of note, today's 2021 home-opener was scheduled for 4 p.m., but storms and lightning in the area delayed the match to a 6:15 p.m. start.
LHU opened the 2021 season on with a hard-fought 1-1 draw on the road at California (Pa.) University over the weekend (Saturday, Sept. 4).
Today marked the first of two straight home games for Lock Haven. The Bald Eagles will host Goldey-Beacom College Saturday, September 11 at 7 p.m.