ERIE, Pa. – The Saginaw Valley State University men's soccer program started the season on the road against No. 7 Gannon University Saturday afternoon and took home a 1-0 victory. The Cardinals (1-0-0) got the lone goal nearly 23 minutes into the second half from Jayden Cameron to defeat the Golden Knights (1-1-0).
The match started with Gannon on the gas pedal. The Golden Knights posted five shots, three on goal in the first half and the Cardinal keeper, Nick Kay, was up to the task stopping every shot he faced. As the half went on, the physicality picked up. GU totaled four yellow cards in the first half with three of them coming in the final three minutes.
Although the Golden Knights led in the set piece opportunities as they had 12 corner kicks to the Cardinals two, SVSU took advantage of their only shot on goal which came off a corner kick. Jordan Murray crossed the ball from the corner and Alberto Herranz went up to head the ball. It deflected to the left side of the box and into a prime location for Cameron to deposit it in the top right part of the goal.
After the lead was taken, the defense helped limit the chances for Gannon. The Cardinals wouldn't allow a shot on goal after Cameron's goal as three missed their target and two were blocked. SVSU was outshot 12-3 with the other shots coming from Jonny Monney and Alex Demorow but neither hit their mark.
The seconds ticked away after the final shot missed high and Kay claimed the first clean sheet of the season.
Saginaw Valley men's soccer continues the road trip to start the season when they head to Tiffin (0-0-1) on Thursday, September 12. The match is set for 2:00 PM EST from Paradiso Soccer Field in Tiffin, Ohio.