Weekly Athletics Preview: September 8th-14th

ERIE, PA – With the men's and women's golf teams teeing it up on Monday Gannon's falls sports season is now in full swing. Week number two is particularly special as Centennial Homecoming Weekend and Parents Weekend is upon us. Friday's 100th year celebration includes the Golden Knight Invitational in honor of Howard "Bud" Elwell. That evening the Gannon men's soccer team debuts at home. On Saturday the football and women's soccer teams take to the McConnell Family Stadium field.
  
Below is the schedule for the week ahead, along with a quick preview of each team.

THIS WEEK IN GANNON ATHLETICS – Centennial Homecoming Weekend and Parents Weekend

Football
Saturday, Sept. 13 vs. East Stroudsburg -- 1:00 pm - Video | Livestats | Tickets

• It's already game number three for head coach Erik Raeburn's squad. Saturday marks the start of PSAC crossover action as the Golden Knights host East Stroudsburg (1-1). Gannon looks to continue a string of seven straight Homecoming wins.   
• The Golden Knights are glad to be rid of the GLIAC after dropping a Week 0 game to Davenport (21-12) then going down at Saginaw Valley State last week 49-28. One interesting dilemma for Raeburn – Anthony Harris started at quarterback vs. Davenports and threw for 269 yards and ran for 101 more. He missed the SVSU game with an injury and Ty Hurst stepped in to throw for 324 yards and account for three TDs.

Volleyball
Hampton inn & Suites Grand Rapids Downtown Classic
Friday, Sept. 12 vs. Findlay -- 10:00 a.m. - Video | Livestats 
Friday, Sept. 12 vs. Tiffin -- 4:00 p.m. - Video | Livestats 
Saturday, Sept. 13 vs. Davenport -- 3:00 p.m. - Video | Livestats 

• The No. 19 Golden Knights turned in an impressive showing in the Big Apple last weekend. The season opened in the 2025 Opening Roar Tournament with a 3-1 loss to defending national champion Lynn. It was the only game Lynn lost in four matches. In fact, Gannon was the only team to reach 20 points. Head coach Matt Darling's team appeared on the verge of falling to 0-2 dropping the first two games in their second match on Friday against Adelphi. They went on to win the next three games for a 3-2 win, then on Saturday defeated Molloy (3-0) and Assumption (3-1). 
• Week number two finds the Golden Knights competing in the Hampton Inn & Suites Grand Rapids Downtown Classic hosted by Davenport. They play twice on Friday, opening with Findlay (2-1) before playing Tiffin (1-2), then on Saturday oppose the host Panthers (2-2).

Women's Soccer
Saturday, Sept. 13 vs. California (Pa.) – 6:30 p.m. - Video | Livestats 

• Fresh off a 2-0 getaway the 10th-ranked women's soccer team has a big weekend as they look to join in the Centennial Homecoming festivities. Gannon plays for the first time at McConnell Family Stadium along with beginning PSAC West action hosting California (Pa.). Head coach Colin Peterson's squad enters conference play as the preseason favorite in the Western Division.
• Gannon opened the season with a pair of wins against two of the best teams in the MEC. On Thursday GU defeated Charleston (WV) 3-0 followed by a 5-1 triumph at Concord on Saturday. Hannah Shepard and Jessie Watkins scored a goal in each match.    

Men's Soccer
Friday, Sept. 12 vs. Ashland – 6:30 p.m. - Video | Livestats 

• The men's soccer suffered through an unexpected start to the season last week. Lake Erie tied Thursday's season opener with a goal with 29 seconds remaining to forge a 3-3 tie. On Sunday Gannon made the long journey to eastern Pennsylvania to play at East Stroudsburg. Despite holding a 13-10 advantage in shots the Golden Knights dropped a 4-0 decision to start at 0-1-1.
• Head coach Billy Colton's squad is hoping a bit of home cooking – and Centennial Homecoming festivities – will be just what the doctor ordered on Friday. The day will also include many alumni attending along with a tribute to the 1985 squad that made the NCAA Tournament. The Golden Knights face an Ashland team that is 1-0-1.

 
 
Men's Golf
Monday, Sept. 8 to Tuesday, Sept. 9 at the UC Invitational in Charleston, WV. -- Livestats 
 

• The men's golf team opens the 2025 fall season competing in the UC Invitational hosted by Charleston (WV). The field will play 36 holes on Monday followed by 18 more holes on Tuesday. The Golden Knights return a pair of PING honorable mention All-Americans in Mattia Parrini and Rasmus Seppanen.

 
Women's Golf
Monday, Sept. 8 to Tuesday, Sept. 9 at the UC Invitational in Charleston, WV. -- Livestats
 

• Like the men's golf team the women's linksters will also open the 2025 fall season competing in the UC Invitational hosted by Charleston (WV). The 36-hole event features 18 holes on Monday and Tuesday. Head coach Scott Stano's squad must replace three-time PSAC Athlete of the Year Ditte Petersen but can call on PSAC Freshman of the Year Alexandria LeCureux along with fellow All-PSAC performer Cloe Mateo.  

Cross Country
No events scheduled (Return to action at YSU Alumni Cross Country Meet in Youngstown, Ohio 9/20)

• The men's and women's cross country teams debuted in 2025 with the Race in the Park, the annual meet hosted by the Golden Knights in Fairview, Pa. The men's team finished first in the 6K race while the women's team placing second over the 4K course. The day also featured annual Senior Day festivities.

Men's Water Polo
No events scheduled (Return to action in Bucknell Invitational 9/21)

• Head coach Zarko Sadikovic's Golden Knights won two of three contests while competing in the W&J Invitational this past weekend. The offense came alive as they scored 65 goals in the three matches. On Friday night they handed host Washington & Jefferson a 22-9 defeat. On Saturday Gannon scored a season-high 24 goals to win a high-scoring affair vs. Penn State Behrend, 24-19. The day ended with a tough 20-19 setback to Johns Hopkins. The Blue Jays, ranked ninth in Division III, scored the game-winner with 11 seconds remaining after Gannon had tied the match 27 seconds earlier.