GANNON GOLDEN KNIGHTS (4-2-2, 4-2-2 PSAC West) vs. PITT-JOHNSTOWN (3-7, 2-6 PSAC West)
DATE/TIME: Saturday, October 9, 2021 | 5:00 p.m.
STADIUM/LOCATION: McConnell Family Stadium l Erie, Pa.
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THE GANNON-PITT JOHNSTOWN SERIES
Gannon leads 8-1 all-time: .889 winning percentage
First meeting: 2008
Last Meeting: Sept. 8, 2021 -- Gannon 3, UPJ 2 RECAP | Prior: October 12, 2019 – Gannon 3, UPJ 2 (OT) | RECAP
 
ERIE, Pa – After having its three-match win streak snapped on Wednesday courtesy of No. 23-ranked Slippery Rock, the Gannon University women's soccer team looks to get back on track at home against the Pitt-Johnstown Mountain Cats on Saturday. The Golden Knights return to the friendly confines of McConnell Family Stadium for the first time since Sept. 25, when they defeated then-ranked No. 11 Edinboro in overtime, 3-2. This marks the first time this season that Gannon faces an opponent for the second time--the two teams also met in Gannon's first match of the season on Wednesday, Sept. 8, defeating the Mountain Cats 3-2 with a pair of goals from Taylor Lewis (Erie, Pa./Harbor Creek) and a third from Jamie Seneca (Plum, Pa./Plum).
 
The Knights (4-2-2 in conference play) are currently fourth in the PSAC West standings, behind Mercyhurst (5-2-1), Edinboro (6-2) and first-place Slippery Rock (7-1.) Gannon's defensive record has been solid, only allowing nine goals all season—the sixth-best mark in the entire PSAC. In comparison, UPJ has allowed 24 goals in 2021; only Cal U (25) has let in more, but the Mountain Cats have scored 25 goals as well (also the second-highest mark in the conference) and seem to be committed to a risk-reward type of playstyle.
 
Gannon's offense remains impressive statistically, with Sarah Fails (Girard, Pa./Villa Maria) (33 shots), Kayla Bevacqua (Welland, Ontario/Notre Dame) (33), and Lewis (29) all in the PSAC top ten in that category and are the only institution to have more than one player appear on that list. Lewis is ranked sixth in the conference in goals with five, but Pitt-Johnstown has four players on that top-ten list, including Lydia Roman (second place with six goals), Haley Neidig (fifth, five goals), and Emily Esser/Morgan Kost (tied for seventh, four goals.)
 
The Golden Knights swept the season series from UPJ in 2019, including a 3-2 overtime victory, and have won eight of nine all-time matches between the institutions. The only loss was a 1-0 decision on Sept. 12, 2018.
 
After Saturday's match, the Golden Knights head back out onto the road for a three-game stretch (at Seton Hill on Oct. 13, at Mercyhurst on Oct. 16, and at Indiana (Pa.) on Oct. 20) before returning home to face Cal U on Oct. 23 at 5:00 p.m.