ERIE, Pa. –  The Gannon women's soccer team's quest for its first PSAC Tournament championship has fallen short again.
 
Coach Colin Petersen's Golden Knights made their fifth consecutive appearance in the PSAC semifinals on Friday, but Kutztown scored twice in the second half to overcome a one-goal deficit and beat GU 2-1 at McConnell Family Stadium. Gannon had been hoping for its first women's soccer title since the university joined the PSAC in 2008.
 
It was a tough way to end the PSAC season for Gannon, which entered the game unbeaten at 14-0-4 after going 10-0-4 during the PSAC West season. The good news for the Golden Knights is that they entered the weekend ranked No. 1 in the Atlantic Region and are certain to receive an NCAA Tournament berth.
 
Kutztown, which entered the tournament as the No. 3 seed from the Eastern Division (and No. 4 team in the Atlantic Region), has now topped the two-time defending champion West Chester (1-0 in the quarterfinals) and the No. 1 seed from the Western Division, Gannon, during the 2024 PSAC tournament.
 
The Golden Bears improved to 11-3-6 and will face the winner of the second semifinal in the PSAC championship game on Sunday at 1 p.m. at McConnell Family Stadium. Slippery Rock and Shepherd were playing in the second semifinal on Friday evening.
 
The first half of the Gannon-Kutztown game was a defensive affair as just four shots were taken in the half – all of them by Gannon.
 
However, that changed quickly during a four-minute period early in the second half.
 
At the 51:18 mark, Gannon took the lead on a corner kick from senior midfielder Gabby Boden (Butler, Pa./Butler). She launched the ball from the right corner in front of the net where another senior midfielder, Jamie Seneca (Plum, Pa./Plum), headed the ball past the goalie into the back of the net. It was the first goal of the season for Seneca.
 
Not long after Gannon celebrated the first goal, Kutztown countered with the tying goal. Skyler Jordan scored off an assist from Katelyn Economopoulos at the 55:13 mark.
 
The score stayed tied for the next 18 minutes until Kutztown stuck for the decisive goal. Kutztown's Corinne Morgan sprinted down the left side into the box and sent a pass to the far side of the goal. The ball hit the post and bounced into the net at the 73:21 mark.
 
Gannon tried furiously over the final 16-plus minutes to get the equalizer, but each time the Golden Bears stalled the attack. Gannon outshot Kutztown 9-6, including 6-4 in shots on goal.
 
 
What's ahead:
 
Gannon will learn its NCAA Tournament fate on Monday evening during the NCAA Selection Show.