The Gannon women's soccer team enters the 2025 season with a strong core of returners and a promising group of newcomers, positioning the Golden Knights to once again contend at the top of the PSAC. Head coach Colin Petersen, now in his 24th season, has built one of his deepest rosters in recent years as Gannon looks to build on consecutive nationally ranked finishes.

PRESEASON POLLS
The Golden Knights will open the year ranked 10th in the United Soccer Coaches Division II Preseason Top 25, matching their final position from 2024. Gannon was also selected as the preseason favorite in the PSAC West, earning the top spot in the divisional poll released by the conference's head coaches.

DEPTH AND COMPETITION ACROSS THE FIELD
The Golden Knights arrive for the new campaign in top condition, with returners excelling in preseason fitness testing and freshmen quickly adjusting to the program's demands.
"This is probably the best we've been in shape," Petersen said. "Even among our returners, there's going to be competition for positions."

RESPECKI, EMANUEL PROVIDE PLENTY OF SCORING PUNCH
At the heart of Gannon's attack is the high-powered tandem of juniors Brooklyn Respecki (McKean, Pa./General McLane) and Grace Emanuel (Erie, Pa./McDowell).

Respecki posted 14 goals and 9 assists last season for 37 points, while Emanuel tallied 16 goals and 6 assists for 32 points. Both repeated as All-PSAC West First Team honorees, with Emanuel also earning First Team D2CCA All-America honors and Respecki claiming Second Team D2CCA All-America recognition.

In just two seasons, Respecki has compiled 27 goals, 25 assists, 79 points, while Emanuel has totaled 27 goals, 10 assists, 64 points, quickly climbing into Gannon's all-time scoring leaders.

TWO PSAC AWARD WINNERS RETURN
Eight Golden Knights earned All-PSAC West honors last fall, including two major award winners:

• Destinee Robertson (Lacey, Washington/Timberline) – PSAC West Defensive Athlete of the Year, leading a defense that recorded 13 shutouts while allowing just 12 goals.
• Jessie Watkins (Bowie, Md./Bowie) – PSAC West Freshman of the Year, who finished third on the team with nine goals and an assist.

First-team picks Hannah Shepard (Erie, Pa./McDowell) and Morgan Sinan (Cranberry Twp., Pa./Seneca Valley), a graduate goalkeeper, also return to anchor the defensive unit.

MOTIVATION AND A TOUGH SLATE
After narrow postseason exits the past two years, the Golden Knights enter 2025 determined to take the next step. Their schedule again features stiff non-conference tests, including a meeting with Adelphi.

"We've been so close, and I think it's just that hunger that drives us," Petersen said. "Every game is a big game for us."

He added that early momentum will be key: "Last year we won our first two games and it made such a difference. We want to be playing from that position again."

UP NEXT
The Golden Knights open the 2025 season on Thursday, September 4, traveling to Charleston (W.Va.) for a 1:00 p.m. kickoff.