ERIE, Pa. – Freshman midfielder Grace Emanuel (Erie, Pa./McDowell) scored two goals and added an assist as the Gannon women's soccer team downed Clarion 3-1 in a PSAC West game at McConnell Family Stadium on Wednesday afternoon.

The victory was the 199th in the career of Gannon coach Colin Petersen, who is in his 22nd season as GU's head coach. Already the winningest coach in Gannon women's soccer history, Petersen has a 199-160-37 career record.

Gannon improved to 11-3-1 overall and 11-2 in the PSAC West as it remained alone in second place. The Golden Knights have already clinched a PSAC Tournament berth.

NCAA released its initial Division II regional rankings of the 2023 season on Wednesday. Gannon was on the Atlantic Region list, which is alphabetical this week and will be numerical next week.

Wednesday was Cancer Awareness Day at the stadium, and during the pregame ceremony, the names of cancer survivors and victims were recited along with the Gannon and Clarion athletes who were playing for those loved ones.
 

Freshmen in good form:

Led by Emanuel, Gannon's freshmen continued their strong first seasons on Wednesday.

 

Here's Gannon's Grace Emanuel (Erie, Pa./McDowell) with her first goal off an assist from Brooklyn Respecki (McKean, Pa./General McLane). (Please excuse the scoreboard, which got in the way for a moment. Lol) Trevor Kubeja on the call.@GannonU pic.twitter.com/50GWGrFtSX

— Gannon Athletics (@GUKnights) October 25, 2023

The game was scoreless for 25 minutes before Emanuel teamed with fellow freshman Brooklyn Respecki (McKean, Pa./General McLane) for the first goal. Respecki drove down the left side and centered a pass to Emanuel, who finished with her left foot to the left side of the net at the 25:42 mark.

The score remained 1-0 until 10 minutes had passed in the second half. Emanuel cut through the middle and found junior forward Gabby Boden (Butler, Pa./Butler) with a pass to the right. Boden then sent a shot to the left of the diving goalie into the net to make it 2-0 at the 55:16 mark.

Check out this goal as Gabby Boden (Butler, Pa./Butler) scores off a pass from Grace Emanuel (Erie, Pa./McDowell). This gives Gannon a 2-0 lead in GU's eventual 3-1 win over Clarion. Trevor Kubeja with the thunderous call.@GannonU pic.twitter.com/kGjOYjfTtM

— Gannon Athletics (@GUKnights) October 25, 2023

Clarion quickly responded with a goal just 18 seconds later as Evelyn Cook scored off a pass from Emily Mannion.

Emanuel later added an insurance goal as sophomore midfielder June Monasterio (Bilbao, Spain/Claret Askartza) slid a pass between two defenders and found Emanuel breaking to the left of the goal. Emanuel then booted another left-footed shot, this time to the right of the diving goalie with a little over 10 minutes to play.
 

Check out Gannon's final goal as June Monasterio (Bilbao, Spain/Claret Askartza) finds Grace Emanuel (Erie, Pa./McDowell) with a nice pass and Emanuel scores her second goal of the game and ninth of the season. The insurance goal puts GU ahead 3-1, which was the final score. Trevor Kubeja on the call.@GannonU pic.twitter.com/lXOiHhPmtd

— Gannon Athletics (@GUKnights) October 25, 2023

 
Team stat leaders:

Emanuel tied Respecki for the team lead with nine goals on the season. Respecki leads the team and the PSAC with 26 points. Emanuel ranks second among Gannon's squad with 21 points.

Boden's goal was her fourth of the season and tied her with Ella Fadale (Brockport, N.Y./Brockport) for third on the team with 15 points.

Gannon outshot Clarion 27-7, including a 14-4 edge in shots on goal.

Alex Velez had 11 saves for Clarion (3-9-4, 3-8-3). Morgan Sinan (Cranberry Twp., Pa./Seneca Valley) got the win in goal for Gannon but was forced to make only three saves because of the Knights' strong defense.


What's ahead:

Gannon will visit Seton Hill on Saturday at noon, when the Golden Knights will go for Petersen's 200th career victory.