ERIE, Pa. – The Gannon women's soccer team celebrated Senior Day in winning fashion on Saturday afternoon, scoring twice in the final 13 minutes to secure a 3-1 victory over Pitt-Johnstown at McConnell Family Stadium.
Seniors
Brooklyn Respecki (McKean, Pa./General McLane) and
Grace Emanuel (Erie, Pa./McDowell) each recorded a goal and combined for three assists, while fellow senior
Amelya Bretz (Erie, Pa./Harbor Creek) capped off the afternoon with a header into the back of the net in her first career start.
The Golden Knights improved to 12-2-3 overall and 11-2-2 in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West action, remaining three points behind division-leading Slippery Rock entering the final match of the regular season.
After taking an early 1-0 lead, Gannon surrendered the equalizer in the 60th minute before Emanuel delivered the game-winner in the 78th minute. Bretz added the insurance goal in the 85th minute to secure the Senior Day victory.
THE GAME FACTS
Score: Gannon 3, Pitt-Johnstown 1
Records: Gannon (12-2-3, 11-2-2 PSAC West), Pitt-Johnstown (1-14-2, 0-13-2 PSAC West)
Location: McConnell Family Stadium – Erie, Pa.
Date: Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026
THE KNIGHT CAP
- Senior Day Celebration: Gannon honored 10 seniors before Saturday's contest: Brooklyn Respecki (McKean, Pa./General McLane), Hannah Shepard (Erie, Pa./McDowell), Lydia Knepp (Lewisburg, Pa./Mifflinburg Area), Victoria Wheeler (Bordentown, N.J./Bordentown Regional), Grace Parker (Middleport, N.Y./Royalton Hartland), Aubrey Pyne (Chambersburg, Pa./Chambersburg Area), Clara Bourke (Madrid, Spain/Colegio Sagrada Familia), Amelya Bretz (Erie, Pa./Harbor Creek), Abigail Niebauer (Denver, Colo./East) and Grace Emanuel (Erie, Pa./McDowell).
- Respecki Strikes Early: Brooklyn Respecki (McKean, Pa./General McLane) opened the scoring just 9:51 into the contest, finishing a pass from Grace Emanuel (Erie, Pa./McDowell) for her ninth goal of the season. The senior forward finished with four points on one goal and two assists.
- Pitt-Johnstown Answers: The Mountain Cats evened the score at 1-1 in the 60th minute when Sarah Henry scored her fifth goal of the season off an assist from Rylee Fry. It was Pitt-Johnstown's only shot of the afternoon.
- Emanuel Delivers the Winner: Grace Emanuel (Erie, Pa./McDowell) broke the deadlock at the 77:55 mark, converting a pass from Respecki for her sixth goal of the season and the eventual game-winner. Emanuel finished with three points on a goal and an assist.
- Bretz Caps Senior Day: Making her first career start, Amelya Bretz (Erie, Pa./Harbor Creek) put the finishing touches on the victory in the 85th minute. The Erie, Pa., native headed home a delivery from Respecki for her first goal of the season and third of her collegiate career.
- Golden Knights Dominate: Gannon outshot Pitt-Johnstown 18-1, including an 11-1 advantage in shots on goal. The Golden Knights also held a 10-2 edge in corner kicks, recording 13 shots and seven corners in the second half.
- Offensive Leaders: Respecki led Gannon with six shots, including four on goal, while Emanuel placed all four of her attempts on target. Bretz added three shots, two on goal, and Aubrey Pyne (Chambersburg, Pa./Chambersburg Area) registered three attempts.
- Strong Goalkeeping Record: Alwa Wennstroem (Öjebyn, Sweden) improved to 10-0-2 in goal, playing 87:28 before senior Abigail Niebauer (Denver, Colo./East) entered for the final 2:32. Pitt-Johnstown goalkeeper Gianna Cardillo finished with eight saves.
- Climbing the Record Books: Respecki increased her career totals to 46 goals, 40 assists and 132 points. She ranks second in program history in career points, just five shy of Mani Brueckner's school record of 137, and is tied for third in career goals with Brueckner. Respecki also ranks second in career assists, five behind Brueckner's record of 45. Emanuel moved to 39 career goals, 30 assists and 108 points, ranking fourth in program history in career goals and fifth in career points.
- PSAC West Race: Gannon remains second in the division with 35 points, trailing Slippery Rock (38) by three after the Rock earned a 1-0 victory on Saturday. The Golden Knights have secured a PSAC Tournament berth but will need to defeat Clarion in Wednesday's regular-season finale and have Slippery Rock lose to IUP to finish tied atop the standings. With both head-to-head meetings ending in draws, additional conference tiebreakers would determine the No. 1 seed if the teams finish tied in points.
UP NEXT
Gannon closes out the regular season on Wednesday, Oct. 28, when the Golden Knights travel to Clarion for a PSAC West matchup at 7 p.m. The Golden Knights will look to avenge a 2-1 setback to the Golden Eagles earlier this season at McConnell Family Stadium.
This story was written using the support of AI.
