2025 Women's Soccer Team Shot

Women's Soccer Taylor Brown, Associate Director of Sports Information & Media Relations

NCAA First Round Preview: No. 14 Gannon Set for Atlantic Regional Clash with Bloomsburg

NCAA ATLANTIC REGIONAL FIRST ROUND
DATE/TIME: Friday, November 21, 2025 | 1:00 p.m.
STADIUM/LOCATION: Shepherd University • Shepherdstown, W.Va.
LIVE STATS | LIVE VIDEO

TICKETS
Adults: $10 • Students/Seniors: $5 • Under 2: Free
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THE NCAA ATLANTIC REGIONAL
First Round (at Shepherd – Host Site)
Friday, November 21
• No. 4 Gannon vs. No. 5 Bloomsburg – 1:00 p.m.
Second Round (at Shepherd)
Sunday, November 23
• No. 1 Shepherd vs. Winner of Gannon/Bloomsburg – 1:00 p.m.

THE MATCHUP
The NCAA Tournament awaits for the No. 14 Gannon women's soccer team, which secured the No. 4 seed in the Atlantic Regional following another strong regular season. The Golden Knights will meet PSAC counterpart Bloomsburg in Friday's first-round matchup, adding another chapter to a competitive all-time series.

Gannon enters at 15-2-2, powered by one of Division II's most dangerous attacks at 3.11 goals per match and a defensive group allowing just 14 goals all season. The Golden Knights will lean on their seven All-PSAC West selections, including six First Team honorees.

Midfielder Grace Emanuel (Erie, Pa./McDowell) ranks tied for fourth in Division II with 10 assists, while Ella Fadale (Brockport, N.Y./Brockport) finished second in the PSAC and tied for third nationally with 16 goals. Alongside Brooklyn Respecki (McKean, Pa./General McLane), Jessie Watkins (Bowie, Md./Bowie), Destinee Robertson (Lacey, Washington/Timberline), Hannah Shepard (Erie, Pa./McDowell), and Morgan Sinan (Cranberry Twp., Pa./Seneca Valley), Gannon's All-PSAC core brings elite production and postseason experience.

Bloomsburg qualified for the NCAA Tournament for the 12th time in program history and the fifth under head coach Matt Haney, advancing to the second round in six of its previous 11 appearances. On the opposite sideline, Gannon enters the NCAA Tournament under head coach Colin Petersen, who is in his 26th season with the program and 24th as head coach. Petersen owns a 236-166-46 career record and has guided the Golden Knights to their ninth NCAA Tournament appearance.

SCOUTING BLOOMSBURG
Bloomsburg (10-6-2) earned its 12th NCAA Tournament berth after finishing 7-5-2 in the PSAC East and enters following a 2–1 loss to Millersville in the PSAC Play-In Round.

The Huskies feature a balanced offense with 12 goal scorers, led by:
• Daryn Savage – 5 goals
• Olivia Thompson – 4 goals, 3 assists
• Alexa Arrigale – early-season scoring threat returning from injury
• Anika Krasnai – Second Team All-PSAC East (2 goals, 3 assists)

Goalkeeper Samantha Merklin, a three-time All-PSAC East pick, anchors the defense with an .818 save percentage, 1.05 GAA, and 81 saves, ranking among Division II's most seasoned keepers with 383 career saves.

Bloomsburg opened the year strong (26 goals in 13 matches) but has scored just four times across its last five contests. Limiting Gannon's heavy shot volume will be critical.

SERIES HISTORY
Bloomsburg leads 10–8–2
Last Meeting: Gannon 3, Bloomsburg 1 (2022 PSAC Semifinals – Erie)

GANNON IN THE NCAA TOURNAMENT
2009 – IUP • T, 0–0 (IUP advances 5–4 PKs)
2012 – West Va. Wesleyan • L, 0–2
2015 – Edinboro • L, 1–2 (OT)
2017 – West Va. Wesleyan • L, 0–2
2021 – Bloomsburg • L, 1–2 (OT)
2022 – Fairmont St • W, 3–0 • Kutztown • L, 0–1
2023 – Mercyhurst • W, 1–0 • Charleston • W, 3–1 • West Chester • T, 1–1 (adv. PK) • Adelphi • L, 0–1
2024 – Frostburg St • W, 4–1 • Kutztown • W, 3–2 • Shepherd • W, 1–0
2025 – vs. Bloomsburg • Friday, Nov. 21
 
 
 
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Players Mentioned

Grace Emanuel

#24 Grace Emanuel

M
5' 3"
Junior
Ella Fadale

#17 Ella Fadale

M
5' 6"
Senior
Brooklyn Respecki

#7 Brooklyn Respecki

F
5' 3"
Junior
Exercise Science
Destinee Robertson

#6 Destinee Robertson

D
5' 2"
Senior
Hannah Shepard

#3 Hannah Shepard

D
5' 9"
Junior
Morgan Sinan

#0 Morgan Sinan

GK
5' 7"
Graduate Student
Cybersecurity
Jessie Watkins

#36 Jessie Watkins

F
5' 4"
Sophomore

Players Mentioned

Grace Emanuel

#24 Grace Emanuel

5' 3"
Junior
M
Ella Fadale

#17 Ella Fadale

5' 6"
Senior
M
Brooklyn Respecki

#7 Brooklyn Respecki

5' 3"
Junior
Exercise Science
F
Destinee Robertson

#6 Destinee Robertson

5' 2"
Senior
D
Hannah Shepard

#3 Hannah Shepard

5' 9"
Junior
D
Morgan Sinan

#0 Morgan Sinan

5' 7"
Graduate Student
Cybersecurity
GK
Jessie Watkins

#36 Jessie Watkins

5' 4"
Sophomore
F