SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – On a rainy Friday morning at James Egli Field, the Gannon women's soccer team punched its ticket to the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Championship match with a thrilling 2-1 victory over nationally ranked No. 4 Kutztown in the conference semifinals.
Senior
Brooklyn Respecki (McKean, Pa./General McLane) made history by becoming the program's all-time leader in career points, while
Jessie Watkins (Bowie, Md./Bowie) delivered the game-winning goal in the second half to send the Golden Knights to their third PSAC Championship appearance in program history.
The Golden Knights (15-2-3) extended their unbeaten streak to 17 matches (14-0-3) while snapping Kutztown's nine-match winning streak and handing the Golden Bears (16-2-2) just their second loss of the season.
Entering the contest, Kutztown was ranked No. 4 nationally in the United Soccer Coaches poll and held the top spot in the Atlantic Region and No. 7 nationally in the latest NCAA Division II National Power Index (NPI) rankings.
Wet and slippery field conditions played a factor in an eventful opening half, as both teams found the back of the net less than two minutes apart. Respecki struck first in the 21st minute, collecting the ball onto her left foot before firing a shot past Kutztown goalkeeper Morgan O'Donnell to give Gannon a 1-0 advantage.
The goal marked the 49th of her career and moved her past Mani Brueckner (2012–15) for the program's all-time career points record.
Kutztown responded almost immediately, as Giavanna Marciano scored at the 21:55 mark to bring the Golden Bears level at 1-1.
Despite the challenging weather conditions, Gannon continued to apply offensive pressure throughout the opening 45 minutes, outshooting Kutztown 11-5 as the teams headed into halftime tied.
The Golden Knights carried that offensive momentum into the second half, with
Grace Emanuel (Erie, Pa./McDowell) testing O'Donnell in the 50th minute before
Gianna Barela (Erie, Colorado/Erie) struck the crossbar in the 55th minute.
Gannon eventually broke the deadlock in the 63rd minute following a corner kick opportunity.
Olivia Dixon (Erie, Pa./Cathedral Prep) and Respecki combined to set up Watkins, who found the back of the net at the 62:36 mark to give the Golden Knights a 2-1 advantage.
The goal proved to be the game-winner as Gannon held on to advance to Sunday's PSAC Championship match.
Kutztown looked for an equalizer down the stretch, but goalkeeper
Alwa Wennstroem (Öjebyn, Sweden) and the Gannon defense held firm to preserve the victory and secure a spot in Sunday's conference championship match.
THE GAME FACTS
Score: Gannon 2, No. 4 Kutztown 1
Records: Gannon (15-2-3); Kutztown (16-2-2)
Location: James Egli Field – Slippery Rock, Pa.
Date: Friday, November 6, 2026
THE KNIGHT CAP
- Respecki Makes History: Entering the match tied with Mani Brueckner (2012–15) at 137 career points, Respecki scored in the 21st minute to become Gannon's all-time leader in career points. The senior added an assist on the game-winning goal to finish the afternoon with 140 career points on 49 goals and 42 assists.
- Watkins Delivers the Winner: Jessie Watkins (Bowie, Md./Bowie) scored the decisive goal in the 63rd minute following a Gannon corner kick, with Brooklyn Respecki (McKean, Pa./General McLane) and Olivia Dixon (Erie, Pa./Cathedral Prep) credited with assists. The goal gave the Golden Knights a 2-1 lead they would not relinquish.
- A Familiar Duo Against Kutztown: Respecki and Watkins also found the back of the net in Gannon's 3-2 victory over Kutztown in the second round of the 2024 NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional at McConnell Family Stadium. Respecki scored the equalizer before Watkins gave the Golden Knights a 2-1 lead, with Paige Taylor eventually delivering the game-winner in the 90th minute. Nearly two years later, Respecki and Watkins again accounted for both Gannon goals against the Golden Bears, with Respecki assisting on Watkins' game-winning tally.
- Among the Program's Best: With Friday's victory, Gannon improved to 15-2-3, matching the 2022 squad for the fifth-most wins in a single season in program history. The Golden Knights are one victory away from tying the 2024 and 2025 teams for third-most wins.
- An Offensive Advantage: Gannon outshot Kutztown 16-9, including an 8-4 edge in shots on goal. The Golden Knights held an 11-5 advantage in first-half shots.
- Strong Between the Posts: Goalkeeper Alwa Wennstroem (Öjebyn, Sweden) played all 90 minutes and recorded three saves, including one in the second half, to preserve the one-goal victory.
- Balanced Offensive Attack: Respecki, Bella Prince (Bradford,Pa./Bradford Area), Gianna Barela (Erie, Colorado/Erie) and Amelya Bretz (Erie, Pa./Harbor Creek) each finished with three shots. Respecki and Bretz placed two attempts on goal apiece.
- PSAC Tournament History with Kutztown: Friday marked the fifth PSAC Tournament meeting between Gannon and Kutztown. The Golden Bears won the first two postseason meetings in 2011 and 2016 before Gannon earned a 2-0 semifinal victory at Kutztown in 2023. Kutztown answered with a 2-1 semifinal win at McConnell Family Stadium in 2024. Friday's victory marked Gannon's second postseason win over the Golden Bears, with both victories sending the Golden Knights to the championship match.
- Championship Bound: Gannon advances to its third PSAC Championship match in program history and first since 2023. The Golden Knights finished as runners-up to West Chester in both 2022 (3-0) and 2023 (2-1) and will look to capture their first conference tournament title on Sunday.
- Nationally Ranked Opponent Falls: Kutztown entered Friday's semifinal ranked No. 4 nationally in the United Soccer Coaches poll and No. 7 in the NCAA Division II NPI rankings. The Golden Bears also occupied the top spot in the Atlantic Region's NPI standings, and saw their nine-match winning streak come to an end.
Up Next
Gannon advances to the PSAC Championship match on Sunday, November 8, at 1 p.m. at James Egli Field in Slippery Rock, Pa. The Golden Knights will face the winner of Friday's second semifinal between No. 1 West seed Slippery Rock and No. 2 East seed West Chester.
Both Gannon soccer programs will compete for PSAC championships on Sunday, November 8, with each match scheduled for 1 p.m. The women's team will battle for the conference title at James Egli Field in Slippery Rock, Pa., while the men's team will compete for its championship at Gregory-Douds Field at Eiler-Martin Stadium in East Stroudsburg, Pa.
The winner of Sunday's championship match will earn the PSAC's automatic berth into the NCAA Division II Women's Soccer Tournament.
This story was written using the support of AI.
