With a playoff berth already secured, the Gannon women's soccer team will turn its attention toward the pursuit of a PSAC West title during its final week of the regular season.

Coach Colin Petersen's Golden Knights will visit California on Saturday at 2 p.m. for a PSAC West game at Phillipsburg Soccer Facility.

Gannon has plenty of motivation over the final three games of the regular season. The Knights (9-2-4 overall) are tied for first place in the PSAC West with an 8-1-4 conference record and 28 points in the standings. Mercyhurst (8-2-4 PSAC West) also has 28 points, but the Lakers suffered a crucial setback on Wednesday in a 2-0 loss at Seton Hill.

The top two teams in the PSAC West will host PSAC Tournament quarterfinal games, and the top remaining seed from the Western Division will host the PSAC Final Four. That means securing first place in the regular season would be crucial for a team if it gets past the quarterfinals.

California also has a lot to play for on Saturday. The Vulcans are 5-6-2 in the PSAC West and are in fifth place with 17 points. They are two points behind fourth-place Slippery Rock, and the top four teams advance to the PSAC Tournament.

Plus, Saturday is Cal's Homecoming, so the Vulcans will have an extra bit of incentive to play well in front of the alumni and a bigger crowd.

The Golden Knights received word on Wednesday that they were one of nine teams included in the initial Atlantic Region rankings, along with Mercyhurst. The ranked teams were just listed this week and will be in order when they are released again on Wednesday. The rankings will be used to pick NCAA qualifiers.

In addition to its game against Cal, Gannon will host Mercyhurst on Wednesday and host Pitt-Johnstown in the regular-season finale on October 29.

Here's a look at the Gannon-Cal matchup: 
 
Saturday's game: Gannon at California, noon, Phillipsburg Soccer Facility, California, Pa.

Last time: Gannon beat Cal 2-1 at McConnell Family Stadium on Sept. 24.
 
All-time series: Gannon has an 19-12-1 record against California.

 
Coaches:

Gannon: Colin Petersen, 23rd season (183-155-35)

California: Pete Curtis, 5th season (13-46-6)
 
 
Records:
 
Gannon: 9-2-4 overall, 8-1-4 PSAC West, first place, 28 points
 
California:  5-7-2 overall,  5-6-2 PSAC West, fifth place, 17 points
 
PSAC standings
 
 
Leading scorers:
 
Gannon:

Sarah Fails (Girard, Pa./Villa Maria), 20 points (8 goals, 4 assists)
 
Ella Fadale (Brockport, N.Y./Brockport), 9 points (4 goals, 1 assist)
 
Gabby Boden (Butler, Pa./Butler), 8 points (2 goals, 4 assists)
 
Logan Nicklas (Allison Park, Pa./Hampton), 8 points (2 goals, 4 assists)
 
Leah Bermudez (Milton, Ontario/Jean Vanier Catholic), 4 points (2 goals)
 
Sammie Dales (Conneautville, Pa./Homeschool), 4 points (1 goal, 2 assists) 
 

California:

Lindsie Galbreath, 11 points (5 goals, 1 assist)
 
Kaylee Elwood, 6 points (3 goals)
 
Juliana Cruz, 4 points (2 goals)

  
Leading goalies:
 
Gannon: Kennedy Solymosi (Eastlake, Ohio/Lake Catholic), 6-2-4 record, 52 saves, 0.94 goals-against average, .839 save percentage, 3 shutouts

California: Emily Ouimet, 5-6-2 record, 70 saves, 1.08 goals-against average, .833 save percentage, 4 shutouts