General | 11/2/2026 11:15:00 AM
ERIE, Pa. – Gannon University Athletics has named women's wrestler Bella Phillips (Bellingham, Wash./Squalicum High School) and men's soccer forward Rafa Hyde (São José dos Campos, Brazil/Objetivo Aquarius) its Athletes of the Week for the week of Nov. 2 following standout postseason performances over the weekend.
Phillips opened the 2026-27 season by capturing her second consecutive ESU Open championship at 180 pounds on Sunday.
The junior posted a perfect 4-0 record and outscored her opponents by a combined 34-2. Phillips opened the tournament with back-to-back technical falls before earning a 4-0 decision over Lehigh's Sarah Henckel in the semifinals.
Phillips completed her championship run with a 7-2 victory over Lehigh's Teagan McGuinness in the title match. The returning NCAA All-American helped Gannon finish sixth among 27 teams and clubs at the season-opening event.
Hyde delivered the deciding goal as the Gannon men's soccer team opened the PSAC Tournament with a 2-1 quarterfinal victory over Shepherd on Sunday at McConnell Family Stadium.
With the match tied 1-1 in the second half, Hyde scored in the 73rd minute to put the Golden Knights ahead for good. The goal was his team-leading 15th of the season and sent Gannon into the PSAC semifinals.
Hyde finished the match with a team-high six shots, including two on goal, as Gannon held a 19-11 advantage in shots and improved to 12-3-3 overall.
Phillips and the women's wrestling team return to action Friday, Nov. 6 at D'Youville, while Hyde and the Golden Knights host Seton Hill in the PSAC semifinals on Wednesday, Nov. 4 at 1 p.m.
2026-27 Gannon Athletes of the Week
Week 1 (Aug. 31, 2026)
Donell Mason (Football)
Abbey Williams (Volleyball)
Week 2 (Sept. 7, 2026)
Alexis Abbett (Women's Cross Country)
Nick Thompson (Men's Water Polo)
Week 3 (Sept. 14, 2026)
Olivia Dixon (Women's Soccer)
Keoke Toomer (Football)
Week 4 (Sept. 21, 2026)
Brooklyn Respecki (Women's Soccer)
Chazz Corley (Football)
Week 5 (Sept. 28, 2026)
Nikiforos Liantziris (Men's Water Polo)
Gabby Beaubrun (Volleyball)
Week 6 (Oct. 5, 2026)
Alwa Wennstroem (Women's Soccer)
Jensen Peake (Staffordshire, England/Friary) (Men's Soccer)
Week 7 (Oct. 12, 2026)
Cloe Mateo (Women's Golf)
Dane Hieronimus (Men's Cross Country)
Week 8 (Oct. 19, 2026)
Maggie Piper (Women's Soccer)
Rasmus Seppanen (Men's Golf)
Week 9 (Oct. 26, 2026)
Mariia Melnyk (Women's Swimming)
Nikita Poparcea (Men's Swimming)
Week 10 (Nov. 2, 2026)
Bella Phillips (Bellingham, Wash./Squalicum High School) (Women's Wrestling)
Rafa Hyde (São José dos Campos, Brazil/Objetivo Aquarius) (Men's Soccer)
