Football | 10/12/2026 11:52:00 AM
ERIE, Pa. — With fall break approaching, Gannon Athletics enters another busy week of competition from Oct. 12-19 as the Golden Knights prepare for a road-heavy schedule.
While temperatures begin to dip in Erie, the fall sports season continues to pick up momentum, highlighted by the start of the men's and women's swimming seasons and the men's golf team's pursuit of a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) championship.
Gannon Director of Golf Scott Stano and the men's golf team will travel to Lebanon, Pa., for the PSAC Championships at Iron Valley Golf Club from Friday through Sunday.
The Golden Knights will look to improve upon last season's third-place finish and return to the top of the conference standings after capturing the program's first PSAC championship in 2024.
Gannon dominated the field during its historic championship run, winning by 40 strokes while Mattia Parrini (Verolengo, Italy/Verolengo) claimed the individual title. The Golden Knights will now look to capture their second conference crown in three seasons.
Meanwhile, the men's and women's swimming teams will officially open their 2026-27 campaigns on Friday at the IUP Fall Invitational and IUP Sprint Frenzy in Indiana, Pa.
Despite the road-heavy schedule, Gannon fans will have two opportunities to catch the Golden Knights at home. The men's soccer team hosts California (Pa.) on Wednesday, while the football team welcomes Seton Hill to McConnell Family Stadium on Saturday.
Fans will also have an opportunity to meet the 2026-27 Gannon men's and women's basketball teams during the 2026 Basketball Tip-Off Dinner, sponsored by MacDonald Illig, on Wednesday, Oct. 14, at 5:30 p.m.
The event offers fans a chance to meet the Golden Knights and get an early look at the upcoming basketball seasons. Fans interested in attending are encouraged to register in advance.
Men's Golf
Monday, Oct. 12 – Gannon vs. Howard "Bud" Elwell Invitational – All Day
Friday-Sunday, Oct. 16-18 – Gannon at PSAC Championships – All Day
Gannon Director of Golf Scott Stano and the men's golf team enter the final round of the Howard "Bud" Elwell Invitational on Monday holding a seven-stroke lead at Whispering Woods Golf Club.
The Golden Knights' A team fired a 1-over-par 289 during Sunday's opening round to lead the 10-team field, while Gannon's B team sits third at 9-over 297. California (Pa.) is second at 8-over 296.
Sebastian Rubio paced Gannon's individual performances with a 3-under 69 to sit second overall, one stroke behind Virginia Union's Samuel Kozisek. Rasmus Seppanen (Bastad, Sweden/Akademi Bastad Gymnasium), Mattia Parrini (Verolengo, Italy/Verolengo) and Vincent Lenze (St. Marys, Pa./St. Marys Area) are tied for third after each shooting a 1-under 71, while Carson Moniz (Laramie, WY/Laramie) is tied for eighth at 1-over 73.
Following Monday's final round, Gannon will turn its attention to the PSAC Championships, scheduled for Friday through Sunday at Iron Valley Golf Club in Lebanon, Pa.
The Golden Knights will look to return to the top of the conference standings after finishing third among nine teams at last year's championships. Gannon finished at 36-over par, nine strokes behind champion West Chester (+27), while Pitt-Johnstown placed second (+31). Kyle Westfall (Erie, Pa./Northwest Pennsylvania Collegiate Academy (Erie)) led the Golden Knights with a seventh-place finish at 6-over par, followed by Rasmus Seppanen (Bastad, Sweden/Akademi Bastad Gymnasium) in ninth at 7-over.
Gannon will look to capture its second conference championship in three seasons after winning the program's first PSAC title in 2024 by 40 strokes, with Mattia Parrini (Verolengo, Italy/Verolengo) claiming the individual championship.
Women's Golf
Monday, Oct. 12 – Gannon vs. Michael Corbett Fall Classic – All Day
The Gannon women's golf team enters Monday's final round of the Michael Corbett Fall Classic with a commanding 19-stroke lead after an impressive opening round Sunday at Whispering Woods Golf Club.
The Golden Knights' A team fired a 12-over-par 300 to lead the nine-team field, while West Chester sits second at 31-over 319. Gannon's B team is third at 35-over 323.
Cristina Carrasco (Barcelona, Spain/CEEDCV) led the field after shooting an even-par 72 during Sunday's opening round. Cloe Mateo (Sabadell, Spain/Montcau la Mola) and Alexandria LeCureux (Clarkston, Mich./Clarkston) are tied for second after each carding a 2-over 74, while Gunnhildur Gunnarsdóttir is tied for sixth at 6-over 78.
The strong opening round follows another impressive showing by Mateo, who earned PSAC Women's Golf Athlete of the Week honors after placing third among 96 golfers at the William Beall Fall Classic.
Mateo finished the 54-hole event at 6-over 222 with rounds of 74, 75 and 73, earning a spot on the All-Tournament Team as Gannon placed seventh among 18 teams.
Men's Swimming
Friday, Oct. 16 – Gannon at IUP Fall Invitational – All Day
Friday, Oct. 16 – Gannon at IUP Sprint Frenzy – All Day
The Gannon men's swimming team opens its 2026-27 season Friday in Indiana, Pa., coming off a season in which the Golden Knights posted a 6-1 dual meet record and finished as runners-up at the PSAC Championships for the second consecutive year.
The Golden Knights also enjoyed a record-breaking campaign, highlighted by Will Retsch (Allison Park, Pa./Hampton) setting a school record in the 200-yard individual medley (1:49.88) and the 200-yard medley relay team of Marcos Rodriguez (Madrid, Spain/Santa María del Pilar), Malachi Boyle (Knoxville, Tenn./Home Life Academy), Retsch and Kuba Loboda (Lublin, Poland) capturing the PSAC title with a school-record time of 1:29.55.
Women's Swimming
Friday, Oct. 16 – Gannon at IUP Fall Invitational – All Day
Friday, Oct. 16 – Gannon at IUP Sprint Frenzy – All Day
The Gannon women's swimming team will officially open its 2026-27 season Friday when the Golden Knights travel to Indiana, Pa., for the IUP Fall Invitational and IUP Sprint Frenzy.
Gannon is coming off a 2025-26 campaign that featured a 3-4 dual meet record and a seventh-place finish at the PSAC Championships.
One of the highlights of last season was the emergence of Mariia Melnyk (Kyiv, Ukraine/Education Center Optima), who established school records in the 50-yard freestyle (23.42), 100-yard freestyle (50.70) and 100-yard backstroke (55.85) during her freshman campaign.
The Golden Knights also tied the school record in the 400-yard medley relay, as Juliana Romero (Bogotá, Columbia/Colegio pureza de Maria), Maria Valcheva (Sofia, Bulgaria/Sports School Vasil Levski), Hailey Wills (Cleves, Ohio/Seton) and Melnyk combined for a time of 3:53.87 during a dual meet against Case Western Reserve.
Men's Soccer
Wednesday, Oct. 14 – Gannon vs. California (Pa.) – 4 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 17 – Gannon at Pitt-Johnstown – 2:30 p.m.
The Gannon men's soccer team returns to PSAC West action with two conference matchups this week, beginning Wednesday when the Golden Knights host California (Pa.) at McConnell Family Stadium.
Gannon enters the week following a 1-1 draw with Seton Hill on Saturday during Senior Day and Soctober Alumni Weekend.
Earlier in the week, the Golden Knights earned a 2-1 road victory over Slippery Rock behind first-half goals from Per Kristian Lauvstad (Nesoya, Norway) and Mathias Asphjell (Oslo, Norway/lambertseter vgs).
Asphjell's goal marked his first of the season as Gannon continued its unbeaten start to PSAC West play.
The Golden Knights were ranked sixth in Super Region 1 and second among PSAC teams in the first NCAA Division II National Power Index (NPI) rankings released Monday. Gannon is also ranked No. 24 nationally with an NPI rating of 56.619.
The Golden Knights host California (Pa.) on Wednesday at 4 p.m. before traveling to Johnstown for a Saturday afternoon matchup against Pitt-Johnstown at 2:30 p.m.
Women's Soccer
Wednesday, Oct. 14 – Gannon at Adelphi – Noon
Saturday, Oct. 17 – Gannon at Lock Haven – 7 p.m.
The Gannon women's soccer team hits the road for a pair of matches this week, beginning Wednesday with a non-conference matchup against Adelphi in Garden City, N.Y.
The Golden Knights are coming off a 5-1 victory over California (Pa.) on Saturday during Soctober Alumni Weekend at McConnell Family Stadium.
Gannon was ranked eighth in the Atlantic Region and fifth among PSAC teams in the first NCAA Division II National Power Index (NPI) rankings released Monday. The Golden Knights are also ranked No. 51 nationally with an NPI rating of 55.634.
Gannon will look to repeat last season's success against Adelphi, when the No. 7 Golden Knights earned a 5-1 victory over No. 24 Adelphi for the first time in program history.
Following Wednesday's matchup, Gannon returns to PSAC action Saturday when the Golden Knights travel to Lock Haven for a 7 p.m. contest.
Volleyball
Thursday, Oct. 15 – Gannon at Edinboro – 6 p.m.
The Gannon volleyball team travels to face Erie County foe Edinboro on Thursday for a PSAC West matchup against the Fighting Scots. First serve is scheduled for 6 p.m.
The Golden Knights will look to bounce back after suffering their first home loss of the season in a three-set sweep against IUP on Saturday at the Highmark Events Center.
Gannon enters the week with a 15-4 overall record and a 5-2 mark in conference play.
Football
Saturday, Oct. 17 – Gannon vs. Seton Hill – Noon
The Gannon football team returns to McConnell Family Stadium on Saturday when the Golden Knights host Seton Hill in a PSAC West matchup. Kickoff is scheduled for noon.
Gannon is coming off a narrow 34-33 setback at Clarion on Saturday, falling just short of spoiling the Golden Eagles' Homecoming celebration.
Wide receiver Chazz Corley (Indianapolis, Ind./Warren Central) turned in a record-setting performance with four touchdown receptions, establishing a new Gannon single-game record.
Quarterback Ty Hurst (Tallmadge, Ohio/Tallmadge) returned to action after missing the previous two games and threw for a season-high 245 yards, while NaSean Hill (Avenel, N.J./Delbarton) added a season-best rushing performance on 25 attempts.
