ERIE, PA - Two fall sports are already underway, and this week marks the full return of competition across Gannon Athletics. Several more Golden Knight programs will open their 2025 seasons in the coming days. Below is the schedule for the week ahead, along with a quick preview of each team.

THIS WEEK IN GANNON ATHLETICS

Football
Saturday, 9/6 at Saginaw Valley State - 2:00 pm - Video | Livestats 

• Erik Raeburn's squad controlled much of the opener, outgaining Davenport 422–263 in total yards and holding possession for over 40 minutes. However, turnovers proved costly in a 21–12 setback. The Golden Knights now turn their attention to another GLIAC opponent, Saginaw Valley State, which dropped a 28–21 decision to Northeastern State in its season debut.

Volleyball
Friday, 9/5 vs Lynn (Garden City, NY) - 2:00 pm - Video | Livestats 
Friday, 9/5 vs Adelphi (Garden City, NY) - 5:00 pm - Video | Livestats 
Saturday, 9/6 vs Molloy (Rockville Centre, NY) - 11:00 am - Video | Livestats 
Saturday, 9/6 vs Assumption (Rockville Centre, NY) - 1:00 pm - Video | Livestats 

• The Golden Knights enter 2025 looking to replace several key contributors from last fall, while still leaning on a solid core of returners. Ranked 19th in the AVCA preseason poll, Gannon opens the year with four matches just outside of New York City. The schedule begins with a major test against top-ranked and defending national champion Lynn, setting the tone for a challenging opening week.

Men's Soccer

Thursday, Sept. 4 at Lake Erie – 4:00 PM - Video | Livestats
Sunday, Sept. 7 at East Stroudsburg – 1:00 PM - Video | Livestats

The Golden Knights, picked to finish first in the 2025 PSAC West preseason poll, open the season with a pair of challenging road tests. Head coach Billy Colton welcomes back a decorated group led by Sverre Orten (Orsta, Norway/Aalesund vgs), the 2024 PSAC West Athlete of the Year and a consensus All-American. He is joined by Pau Ferrer (Valencia, Spain/ISES Isabel de Villena), the reigning PSAC West Defender of the Year, and Andre Moraes (Sao Bernardo do Campo, Brazil/Colegio Singular), a First Team All-PSAC West goalkeeper. With proven standouts across the field, Gannon looks to set the tone early as it begins another run toward PSAC and NCAA postseason play.

 

Thursday, Sept. 4 at Charleston (WV) – 1:00 PM - Video | Livestats 

Saturday, Sept. 6 at Concord – 1:00 PM - Video | Livestats 

The Golden Knights enter the 2025 season ranked 10th in the United Soccer Coaches preseason poll and projected to finish first in the PSAC West, matching the recognition given to the men's program. Head coach Colin Petersen aims to guide Gannon to its first PSAC championship during his tenure, and the roster features plenty of returning firepower. Brooklyn Respecki (McKean, Pa./General McLane) and Grace Emanuel (Erie, Pa./McDowell) headline a strong group of goal-scorers from last season, giving GU optimism for another postseason push. Both soccer programs will make their home debuts next week at McConnell Family Stadium.

Cross Country
Friday, 9/5 vs Race in the Park (Pleasant Ridge Park) - 5:30 pm

• Both men's and women's cross country are excited to take big steps forward in 2025, starting with their lone home race of the season on Friday. The competition, hosted jointly with Mercyhurst at Pleasant Ridge Park in Fairview, also features PSAC opponent California (Pa.), providing the Golden Knights with an early test.

Men's Water Polo
Friday, 9/5 at W&J - 7:00 pm
Saturday, 9/6 vs Penn State Behrend (Washington, PA) - 10:30 am
Saturday, 9/6 vs Johns Hopkins (Washington, PA) - 1:00 pm

• The first four games of the season undoubtedly provided a stern test for the Golden Knights, given the level of competition at the venue. Yet, with a win secured against MIT to close the weekend, along with close battles against Iona and Harvard, GU comes into the W&J invitational looking for three wins against Washington & Jefferson, Penn State Behrend, and Johns Hopkins.

Men's & Women's Golf
No events scheduled (Will begin season 9/8-9)