ERIE, Pa. – It was a historic weekend for Gannon Athletics as both the men's and women's soccer programs captured Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Tournament championships on Sunday, earning automatic bids to the NCAA Division II Tournament.

The Golden Knights became the first PSAC school since East Stroudsburg in 2017 to sweep both soccer tournament titles in the same season. The two victories also marked Gannon's second and third PSAC championships of the 2026-27 academic year, joining the women's golf team's conference crown earlier this fall.

The men's soccer team secured its second consecutive PSAC Tournament championship with a dramatic 1-0 double-overtime victory over East Stroudsburg. Mathias Asphjell (Oslo, Norway/lambertseter vgs) delivered the championship-winning goal at the 105:33 mark off an assist from Per Kristian Lauvstad (Nesoya, Norway), while the women's soccer team celebrated its first conference tournament title with a 1-0 overtime victory over No. 23 Slippery Rock.

Senior Brooklyn Respecki (McKean, Pa./General McLane) provided the golden goal in the 94th minute, completing a historic Sunday that saw both Golden Knight programs claim conference crowns in overtime.

The women's soccer team's impressive postseason run, which featured back-to-back victories over nationally ranked No. 4 Kutztown and No. 23 Slippery Rock, helped propel the Golden Knights to the No. 1 seed in the NCAA Division II Atlantic Region. Gannon enters the national tournament with a 16-2-3 record, earning a first-round bye and the opportunity to host NCAA Tournament action at McConnell Family Stadium.

The success extended to the hardwood as both Gannon basketball programs opened the 2026-27 season with perfect 2-0 records. The No. 3 men's basketball team picked up victories over nationally ranked Central Missouri and Point Loma at the Small College Basketball Hall of Fame Classic, while the No. 12 women's basketball team defeated Missouri Western and Harding at the Division II CCA Tip-Off Classic.

Gannon's wrestling programs also enjoyed a successful opening week. The men's team captured the Mount Union Invitational championship behind eight individual champions, while the women's team made history with a 26-18 victory over D'Youville in its first-ever PSAC dual.

In the pool, both Gannon swimming teams earned dual-meet victories over Case Western Reserve, highlighted by a record-breaking afternoon at the Carneval Athletic Pavilion Pool. Jakub Loboda established a school and pool record in the men's 100-yard breaststroke, while Patrick Biasio (Muggiò, Italy/Liceo Majorana) and Luis Lebrons Montesinos (Madrid, Spain/The Bolles School) added pool records in the 100-yard backstroke and 200-yard butterfly, respectively.

On the women's side, Mariia Melnyk (Kyiv, Ukraine/Education Center Optima) broke the school record in the 100-yard freestyle, Daniela Mišúthová (Bratislava, Slovakia/Bilingual Grammar School Ceska 10) established a school record in the 200-yard backstroke and Amari Ash (Tacarigua, Trinidad and Tobago/Northgate College, Tacarigua) set a pool record in the 50-yard freestyle. Both programs also delivered record-setting relay performances.

Both Gannon cross country teams competed at the PSAC Championships in Bloomsburg, Pa., on Saturday. The men's team finished eighth among 14 teams, improving one position from its ninth-place finish a year ago. Robert Tang (Pittsburgh, Pa./Mount Lebanon) led the Golden Knights with a 36th-place finish in 26:44.4, while Dane Hieronimus (Toledo, Ohio/Bedford Senior) followed in 45th place.

On the women's side, Gannon placed 13th among 17 teams, led by junior Alexis Abbett (Aspinwall, Pa./Aquinas Academy), who finished 31st overall with a 6K time of 23:14.0, just one position shy of earning All-PSAC honors. Freshman Josephine Holody () added an 83rd-place finish, while Makayla McLister (Butler, Pa./Butler Area) placed 99th, giving the Golden Knights three runners among the top 100.

Both teams now turn their attention to the NCAA Division II Atlantic Region Championships, scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 21, at the Ivey M. Redmon Sports Complex in Kernersville, N.C. The regional championships will be hosted by Winston-Salem State.

The men's water polo team also secured the No. 2 seed in the WWPA Eastern Division after sweeping conference opponents Salem and McKendree at the WWPA Erie Classic. After entering the weekend winless in conference play, the Golden Knights picked up two crucial WWPA victories to finish 2-2 in league action and secure their postseason position.

The Golden Knights now turn their attention to another busy week featuring NCAA Tournament action for both soccer programs, the PSAC Volleyball Tournament, the women's basketball home opener, football's regular-season finale and continued competition for both wrestling teams.

Women's Soccer
Friday, Nov. 13 – Slippery Rock vs. Frostburg State – Noon – NCAA Atlantic Regional
Sunday, Nov. 15 – vs. Slippery Rock/Frostburg State Winner – Noon – NCAA Second Round

The newly crowned PSAC champion Golden Knights begin NCAA Division II Tournament action Sunday when they host the winner of Friday's first-round matchup between Slippery Rock and Frostburg State at McConnell Family Stadium.
Gannon earned the No. 1 seed in the Atlantic Region and received a first-round bye, securing the opportunity to host NCAA Tournament competition in Erie.

The Golden Knights enter the national tournament following a memorable PSAC Tournament run that featured victories over Shepherd, No. 4 Kutztown and No. 23 Slippery Rock. Gannon brings a 16-2-3 record into NCAA Tournament action after capturing the program's first PSAC Tournament championship.

Senior Brooklyn Respecki (McKean, Pa./General McLane) delivered the biggest goal of her career in Sunday's championship match, scoring the golden goal at the 93:59 mark to secure Gannon's first PSAC Tournament title. The dramatic game-winner also marked the 50th goal of Respecki's career, adding another milestone to her record-breaking senior season. Respecki became Gannon's all-time career points leader during Friday's semifinal victory over No. 4 Kutztown.

Gannon will look to continue its impressive unbeaten streak as the Golden Knights begin their pursuit of an NCAA championship.
 
Men's Soccer
Sunday, Nov. 15 – vs. Concord – 3 p.m. – NCAA Super Region 1 Second Round

The Gannon men's soccer team returns to McConnell Family Stadium Sunday afternoon to host Concord in the second round of the NCAA Division II Men's Soccer Tournament.

The Golden Knights earned the No. 4 seed in Super Region 1 following a successful PSAC Tournament run that culminated in their second consecutive conference championship.

Gannon captured the PSAC title Sunday with a 1-0 double-overtime victory over East Stroudsburg, completing a postseason run that also included victories over Shepherd and Seton Hill.

Mathias Asphjell (Oslo, Norway/lambertseter vgs) scored the game-winning goal at the 105:33 mark off a feed from Per Kristian Lauvstad (Nesoya, Norway) to lift the Golden Knights to their second straight conference championship.

Gannon enters NCAA Tournament play looking to build upon last season's run to the NCAA Division II Elite Eight.

Women's Volleyball
Wednesday, Nov. 11 – vs. Shippensburg – 7 p.m. – PSAC Quarterfinals
Saturday, Nov. 14 – PSAC Semifinals – TBA, if advanced
Sunday, Nov. 15 – PSAC Championship – TBA, if advanced

Gannon opens PSAC Tournament competition Wednesday evening when the Golden Knights host Shippensburg at the Highmark Events Center.
The Golden Knights concluded the regular season with a four-set victory over IUP on Saturday after falling in five sets at Pitt-Johnstown Friday evening.
Gannon earned the No. 2 seed in the PSAC Western Division and will make its 17th PSAC Tournament appearance in program history. The Golden Knights have captured four conference tournament championships (2012, 2016, 2022 and 2023) under head coach Matt Darling.

Women's Basketball
Friday, Nov. 13 – vs. No. 17 Glenville State – 11 a.m. – Atlantic Region Challenge
Saturday, Nov. 14 – vs. Ohio Dominican – 1 p.m. – Atlantic Region Challenge

The No. 12 Gannon women's basketball team makes its home debut this weekend when the Golden Knights host the Atlantic Region Challenge at the Highmark Events Center.

Gannon enters the weekend with a 2-0 record following victories over Missouri Western and Harding at the Division II CCA Tip-Off Classic in Owensboro, Kentucky.

Senior Kate Ratliff (Canal Winchester, Ohio/Canal Winchester) led the Golden Knights in both contests, scoring 18 points against Missouri Western before adding 19 points, seven rebounds, four steals and three assists against Harding.

Bella Deere (Union, Ky./Cooper) also enjoyed a strong opening weekend, scoring 11 points against Missouri Western before adding 12 points and seven rebounds against Harding.

The Golden Knights open the weekend Friday against No. 17 Glenville State in Gannon's annual Education Day game, where they will welcome eighth-grade students from Strong Vincent to the Highmark Events Center for a special morning of basketball.

The four-team Atlantic Region Challenge also features Slippery Rock and Ohio Dominican, with games scheduled for 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. both Friday and Saturday.

Men's Basketball
Friday, Nov. 13 – vs. Roberts Wesleyan – 5 p.m. – Amherst, N.Y.
Saturday, Nov. 14 – at Daemen – 2 p.m. – Amherst, N.Y.

The defending NCAA Division II national champion Gannon men's basketball team continues its early-season road trip this weekend at the East Region Challenge hosted by Daemen.

The No. 3 Golden Knights opened their national title defense with a perfect 2-0 showing at the Small College Basketball Hall of Fame Classic in Lakeland, Florida.

Gannon rolled past No. 19 Central Missouri, 98-69, Saturday before defeating No. 11 Point Loma, 101-94, Sunday to complete an impressive opening weekend against nationally ranked opponents.

Parker Applegate (Murfreesboro, Tenn./Franklin Road Christian), Mackenzie Morgan (Sydney, Australia/Marist Catholic College North Shore) and Lucas Morgan (Sydney, Australia/Marist Catholic College North Shore) were each named to the All-Tournament Team following their performances.

Applegate averaged 17.0 points and 6.5 rebounds, while Mackenzie Morgan (Sydney, Australia/Marist Catholic College North Shore) contributed 14.5 points per game and Lucas Morgan (Sydney, Australia/Marist Catholic College North Shore) averaged 12.5 points.

The Golden Knights will face Roberts Wesleyan Friday before meeting host Daemen Saturday afternoon.

Football
Saturday, Nov. 14 – vs. West Chester – Noon – McConnell Family Stadium

Gannon closes its 2026 regular season Saturday afternoon when the Golden Knights welcome West Chester to McConnell Family Stadium.

The Golden Knights return home following a 27-7 setback at California (Pa.) last weekend.

Senior receiver Donell "Tank" Mason enters his final collegiate contest as Gannon's all-time leader in career receiving yards with 2,484. Mason also ranks third in program history with 168 career receptions, just five shy of Sam Culberth for second place.

Fellow receiver Chazz Corley (Indianapolis, Ind./Warren Central) has recorded nine touchdown receptions this season, tied for fourth-most in a single season in program history.

Gannon will look to close the campaign on a positive note in its final home appearance of the season.

Men's Wrestling
Saturday, Nov. 14 – at Bob Del Rosa Open – All Day – Cleveland, Ohio

Gannon returns to tournament competition Saturday at the Bob Del Rosa Open following a dominant season-opening performance at the Mount Union Invitational.

The Golden Knights brought 34 wrestlers to the tournament and captured the team championship in a field of 17 programs, finishing with 242 points and crowning eight individual champions to highlight an impressive start to the 2026-27 season.

Holden Huhn (Loveland, Ohio/La Salle) (165 lbs.), Jake Niffenegger (Mason, Ohio/La Salle) (141 lbs.), Caleb Butterfield (Erie, Pa./McDowell) (157A lbs.), Tanner Halling (Boonsboro, Md./Boonsboro) (133 lbs.), Logan Sallot (Erie, PA/McDowell High School) (125 lbs.), Brayden Gautreau (Gaylord, Mich./Gaylord) (174 lbs.), Patrick Jackson (Harpers Ferry, WV/Spring Mills High) (184 lbs.) and Andrew Gammon (Erie, Pa./Cathedral Prep) (149B lbs.) each claimed individual titles.

Gannon will look to build upon its impressive opening performance when the Golden Knights travel to Cleveland for the Bob Del Rosa Open.

Women's Wrestling
Saturday, Nov. 14 – at Adrian Duals – All Day – Adrian, Mich.
Sunday, Nov. 15 – at Adrian Invitational – All Day – Adrian, Mich.

The Gannon women's wrestling team travels to Adrian, Michigan, for a two-day weekend of competition following a historic opening dual victory.

The Golden Knights defeated D'Youville, 26-18, Friday evening to earn their first-ever PSAC women's wrestling dual victory.

Gannon trailed 18-12 before Rose Cassioppi (Roscoe, Ill./Hononegah) and Leyna Rumpler (Wexford, Pa./North Allegheny) recorded consecutive falls to give the Golden Knights the lead. Bella Phillips (Bellingham, Wash./Squalicum High School) followed with a 10-0 technical fall to secure the conference victory.

Gannon will compete in Saturday's Adrian Duals before returning to the mat Sunday for the Adrian Invitational.