LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – Gannon forward
Brooklyn Respecki (McKean, Pa./General McLane) was named PSAC West Women's Soccer Freshman of the Year on Tuesday and was one of seven Golden Knights who earned All-PSAC West recognition.
Respecki was joined on the All-PSAC West First Team by defenders
Leah Bermudez (Milton, Ontario/Jean Vanier Catholic) and
Hannah Shepard (Erie, Pa./McDowell), and midfielders
Grace Emanuel (Erie, Pa./McDowell) and
Ella Fadale (Brockport, N.Y./Brockport). Gannon forward
Gabby Boden (Butler, Pa./Butler) and goalie
Morgan Sinan (Cranberry Twp., Pa./Seneca Valley) made the All-PSAC West Second Team.
Respecki, who starred at nearby General McLane High School, has had one of the finest freshman seasons in Gannon women's soccer history. She led the PSAC with 35 points and 13 assists during the regular season. She also tied her teammate,
Grace Emanuel (Erie, Pa./McDowell), for the PSAC lead with 11 goals.
Respecki also tied for the PSAC lead with five game-winning goals while leading the conference in shots (95) and shots on goal (50).
She scored goals in nine games this season, including two-goal performances against Pitt-Johnstown and Seton Hill. Respecki had at least one point in all but two of Gannon's games.
Another local product, Emanuel starred at Erie's McDowell High School. She landed a spot on the PSAC West First Team after turning in one of the most prolific freshman seasons in Gannon history.
In addition to tying Respecki for the PSAC lead with 11 goals, she tied for fourth with 26 points despite missing two games with an injury. She also tied for fifth with three game-winning goals and placed eighth with 49 goals.
She had several big games this season, including her first career hat trick against Slippery Rock on Sept. 27. She also had two goals and one assist in a win over Clarion on Oct. 25.
Bermudez, a graduate student, was honored as a PSAC All-Star for the third time in her career. She repeated as an All-PSAC West First Team selection. Bermudez was a Second Team honoree in 2021.
She was a force in the middle of the back line for Gannon as she frequently stalled opponents' offensive rushes. Bermudez also was an offensive threat, particularly on corner kicks where she scored three goals off headers. She also had two assists in the regular season, giving her eight points, despite missing the first four games of the season with an injury.
Shepard was another freshman who stood out for the Knights. The McDowell High School graduate used her speed and height to stop opposing offensive players. She also displayed a powerful leg that caused her to frequently be used on free kicks. Shepard had two goals and an assist during the regular season.
Fadale was the 2022 PSAC West Freshman of the Year and an All-PSAC First Team selection last year. She repeated as an All-PSAC First Team choice this season.
She was an offensive threat and a physical defensive player. Fadale ranked third on the team with seven goals during the regular season. She also had an assist for 15 points.
Boden repeated as an All-PSAC West Second Team honoree. She moved from the midfield to the forward spot for her junior season and was very productive offensively. Boden had five goals and eight assists as she ranked third on the team with 18 points.
Boden's specialty has been the corner kick, where she has accumulated most of her assists this season.
Sinan, a senior, was the All-PSAC West Second Team goalie. Sinan made 17 starts and compiled a 12-12 record. She had a 0.97 goals-against average and a .643 save percentage.
Sinan used aggressive play to short circuit many of the opponents' scoring chances before they could get started.
2023 PSAC Women's Soccer All-Conference and Major Awards
WESTERN DIVISION
Western Division Athlete of the Year: Karah Van Horn, Mercyhurst
Western Division Defensive Player of the Year: Maddie Elbro, Mercyhurst
Western Division Freshman of the Year: Brooklyn Respecki (McKean, Pa./General McLane), Gannon
Western Division Coach of the Year: Richard Wall, Mercyhurst
PSAC Women's Soccer Western Division First Team All-Conference
| Position |
Name |
Cl. |
University |
Hometown / Previous |
| Defense |
Taryn Baxter*** |
Gr. |
Mercyhurst |
Spokane, Wash. / East Valley High School |
| Defense |
Leah Bermudez (Milton, Ontario/Jean Vanier Catholic)^* |
Gr. |
Gannon |
Milton, Ontario, Canada / Jean Vanier Catholic |
| Defense |
Julia Csernyik |
Sr. |
IUP |
Stow, Ohio / Stow-Munroe Falls |
| Defense |
Hannah Shepard (Erie, Pa./McDowell) |
Fr. |
Gannon |
Erie, Pa. / McDowell |
| Forward |
Corinne Morgan |
Fr. |
Mercyhurst |
Port Republic, N.J / Cedar Creek High School |
| Forward |
Brooklyn Respecki (McKean, Pa./General McLane) |
Fr. |
Gannon |
McKean, Pa. / General McLane |
| Forward |
Hannah Scardina** |
Sr. |
IUP |
Indiana, Pa. / Indiana Area |
| Forward |
Karah Van Horn* |
Jr. |
Mercyhurst |
Granville, Ohio / Granville |
| Midfield |
Grace Emanuel (Erie, Pa./McDowell) |
Fr. |
Gannon |
Erie, Pa. / McDowell |
| Midfield |
Ella Fadale (Brockport, N.Y./Brockport)* |
So. |
Gannon |
Brockport, N.Y. / Brockport |
| Midfield |
Madison Hoover^ |
Gr. |
Mercyhurst |
Wattsburg, Pa. / Seneca High School |
| Midfield |
Haley Neidig^* |
R-Jr. |
Pitt-Johnstown |
South Williamsport, Pa. / South Williamsport Area |
| Goalie |
Maddie Elbro*^ |
Sr. |
Mercyhurst |
Kinver, United Kingdom / Kinver High School |
PSAC Women's Soccer Western Division Second Team All-Conference
| Position |
Name |
Cl. |
University |
Hometown / Previous |
| Defense |
Faith Diffenbacher |
Jr. |
Slippery Rock |
Huron, Ohio / Huron |
| Defense |
Nina King** |
Jr. |
Slippery Rock |
Washington, Pa. / Trinity |
| Defense |
Brooke Riefenstahl*^ |
Sr. |
Slippery Rock |
Hellertown, Pa. / Saucon Valley |
| Defense |
Maddie Teakle |
Fr. |
Seton Hill |
Toowoomba, QLD,Australia / Harristown State |
| Forward |
Gabby Boden (Butler, Pa./Butler)^ |
Jr. |
Gannon |
Butler, Pa. / Butler |
| Forward |
Sydney Patrick |
Sr. |
Slippery Rock |
Greensburg, Pa. / Hempfield Area |
| Forward |
Morgan Sarvar |
So. |
Slippery Rock |
Altoona, Pa. / Altoona Area |
| Forward |
Emily Vogel |
So. |
Edinboro |
Elyria, Ohio / Elyria Catholic |
| Midfield |
Kilee Coatney |
Fr. |
Seton Hill |
Bonney Lake, WA / Bonney Lake |
| Midfield |
Emma Hays |
Fr. |
IUP |
Prospect, Pa. / Slippery Rock HS |
| Midfield |
Teagan Mehalko |
Jr. |
Mercyhurst |
Bethel Park, Pa. / Bethel Park High School |
| Midfield |
Ashley Rea |
Gr. |
Slippery Rock |
Cranberry Township, Pa. / Seneca Valley |
| Goalie |
Morgan Sinan (Cranberry Twp., Pa./Seneca Valley) |
Sr. |
Gannon |
Cranberry Twp., Pa. / Seneca Valley |
* Indicates previous All-PSAC First Team selection
^ Indicates previous All-PSAC Second Team selection
EASTERN DIVISION
Eastern Division Athlete of the Year: Faith Matter, West Chester
Eastern Division Defensive Player of the Year: Bridget Curtis, Kutztown
Eastern Division Freshman of the Year: Kate Economopoulos, Kutztown
Eastern Division Coach of the Year: Erik Burstein, Kutztown
PSAC Women's Soccer Eastern Division First Team All-Conference
| Position |
Name |
Cl. |
University |
Hometown / Previous |
| Defense |
Bridget Curtis** |
Jr. |
Kutztown |
Warrington, Pa. / Central Bucks South |
| Defense |
Jacqueline Graham^ |
So. |
West Chester |
Toms River, N.J. / Toms River North |
| Defense |
Erin Ranegan^ |
Jr. |
Bloomsburg |
Wilmington, Del. / Conrad School of Science |
| Defense |
Dana Wentz^ |
Sr. |
Kutztown |
Lancaster, Pa. / Conestoga Valley |
| Forward |
Evelyn Ciaccia^ |
Sr. |
Lock Haven |
Fairless Hills, Pa. / Pennsbury |
| Forward |
Alyson Cutter |
Jr. |
West Chester |
Warrington, PA / Central Bucks South |
| Forward |
Faith Matter* |
So. |
West Chester |
Middletown, Pa. / Middletown |
| Forward |
Caroline McDonald^ |
So. |
Kutztown |
Exton, Pa. / Downingtown East |
| Midfield |
Kate Economopoulos |
Fr. |
Kutztown |
Grantville, Pa. / Lower Dauphin |
| Midfield |
Lexy Endres |
Sr. |
Kutztown |
Medford, N.J. / Shawnee |
| Midfield |
Kaitlynn Haughey** |
Jr. |
West Chester |
Philadelphia, Pa. / Penn Charter |
| Midfield |
Rebecca Kotula* |
Gr. |
East Stroudsburg |
Wyomissing, Pa. / Wyomissing |
| Goalie |
Cassandra Baker |
Sr. |
Kutztown |
Harrisburg, Pa. / Central Dauphin |
PSAC Women's Soccer Eastern Division Second Team All-Conference
| Position |
Name |
Cl. |
University |
Hometown / Previous |
| Defense |
Taylar Luckenbill^ |
Sr. |
Mansfield |
Harrisburg, Pa. Central Dauphin |
| Defense |
Caitlin Norwood |
Jr. |
East Stroudsburg |
Collegeville, Pa. / Spring-Ford HS |
| Defense |
Brie Seaman* |
Gr. |
East Stroudsburg |
Brick, N.J. / Brick Memorial |
| Defense |
Kylie Sullivan^ |
Gr. |
Millersville |
Branchburg, N.J. / Somerville |
| Forward |
Nia Chinapoo |
Fr. |
East Stroudsburg |
Harrisburg, Pa. / Central Dauphin |
| Forward |
Isabel Coy |
So. |
Millersville |
York, Pa. / York Suburban |
| Forward |
Lydia Gable |
So. |
Shepherd |
Felton, Pa. / Kennard Dale |
| Forward |
Millie Smith |
Jr. |
East Stroudsburg |
Middletown, Md. / Middletown |
| Midfield |
Lauren Bull |
Sr. |
Bloomsburg |
Bloomsburg, Pa. / Central Columbia |
| Midfield |
Alivia Gallardo* |
Sr. |
Bloomsburg |
Cherry Hill, N.J. / Cherry Hill West |
| Midfield |
Julia Raybold |
Sr. |
West Chester |
Elizabethtown / Elizabethtown |
| Midfield |
Natalie Schooley |
Jr. |
East Stroudsburg |
Cherry Hill, N.J. / Paul VI |
| Goalie |
Samantha Merklin |
So. |
Mansfield |
Effort, Pa. Pleasant Valley |
* Indicates previous All-PSAC First Team selection
^ Indicates previous All-PSAC Second Team selection
