SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – It seemed only fitting that two teams that battled to a pair of draws during the regular season would find themselves deadlocked once again, this time on the biggest stage in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Women's Soccer Championship.
But unlike their regular-season meetings, this one needed a winner, with a conference championship and an automatic berth to the NCAA Division II Tournament on the line.
And who better to deliver the deciding blow than PSAC West Athlete of the Year
Brooklyn Respecki (McKean, Pa./General McLane)?
With her dangerous left foot, the senior delivered when it mattered most. Respecki worked her way into the penalty area with the ball before firing a shot into the back of the net at the 93:59 mark, sending the Golden Knights into celebration with a dramatic 1-0 overtime victory over No. 23 Slippery Rock on Sunday afternoon at James Egli Field.
Her 50th career goal couldn't have come at a better time, delivering Gannon its first PSAC Tournament championship in program history.
It was also the first time Gannon had held a lead over Slippery Rock in three meetings this season. After battling back from deficits in both regular-season contests to earn draws, the Golden Knights finally broke through when it mattered most, taking their first advantage over the Rock with the championship-winning strike.
Respecki was also named the PSAC Tournament Most Valuable Player after an outstanding three-match postseason performance in which she totaled four goals, one assist and nine points. The senior recorded 14 shots, including 10 on goal, and scored two game-winning goals as the Golden Knights went 3-0 en route to the conference crown.
You couldn't have scripted it any better.
After becoming Gannon's all-time career points leader during the PSAC Tournament, Respecki saved another milestone for the biggest moment of the season. Her 50th career goal wasn't just another addition to the record books — it was the golden goal that delivered Gannon its first PSAC women's soccer tournament championship in program history.
The senior now has 142 career points and sits just one goal shy of Amanda Sharbaugh's program record of 51 career goals.
Gannon (16-2-3), which previously reached the PSAC championship match in 2022 and 2023, captured the first conference tournament title of head coach
Colin Petersen's career. The Golden Knights also extended their unbeaten streak to 18 matches (15-0-3), matching the longest unbeaten streak in program history, previously set during the 2024 season.
In fitting fashion, both Golden Knight squads claimed their championships with identical 1-0 overtime victories, with the men's team defeating East Stroudsburg earlier Sunday.
The victory also completed a historic sweep of the PSAC soccer championships for Gannon, making the Golden Knights the first school since East Stroudsburg in 2017 to capture both the men's and women's tournament titles in the same season. In fitting fashion, both squads claimed their championships with identical 1-0 overtime victories.
The men's program, which captured its first PSAC Tournament championship in 2025, secured its second consecutive title earlier Sunday with a 1-0 victory over East Stroudsburg, while the women's program celebrated its first conference tournament crown with a 1-0 overtime victory over Slippery Rock.
The Golden Knights also became the first PSAC West program to capture the women's soccer tournament championship since Slippery Rock in 2019.
Making the victory even sweeter, Gannon accomplished the feat on the Rock's home field, in front of 485 spectators at James Egli Field, handing Slippery Rock its first home loss of the season.
Gannon also defeated nationally ranked opponents in back-to-back tournament matches, following Friday's 2-1 semifinal victory over No. 4 Kutztown with Sunday's championship win over No. 23 Slippery Rock.
The Golden Knights' 16 victories are tied for the third-most in a single season in program history, matching the 2024 and 2025 squads. Only the 2015 team (18 wins) and 2023 team (17 wins) have recorded more victories.
THE GAME FACTS
Score: Gannon 1, No. 23 Slippery Rock 0 (OT)
Records: Gannon (16-2-3, 12-2-2 PSAC); Slippery Rock (15-3-3, 13-1-2 PSAC)
Location: James Egli Field – Slippery Rock, Pa.
Date: Sunday, November 8, 2026
THE KNIGHT CAP
- First-Half Pressure: Gannon came out aggressively, earning four corner kicks in the opening 12 minutes. Bella Prince (Bradford,Pa./Bradford Area) registered the first shot of the contest in the sixth minute, followed by opportunities from Hannah Shepard (Erie, Pa./McDowell) and Kennady Billman (Belleville, N.Y./Belleville Henderson Central) as the Golden Knights controlled the early action.
- Golden Knights Control the Opening Half: Gannon continued to pressure Slippery Rock's defense, earning eight corner kicks and holding a 7-4 advantage in shots during the opening 45 minutes. Olivia Dixon (Erie, Pa./Cathedral Prep) provided a pair of scoring opportunities late in the half, but the teams entered halftime scoreless.
- Wennstroem Keeps It Even: Slippery Rock produced one of its best first-half opportunities in the 43rd minute when Peyton Los fired a shot on goal, but goalkeeper Alwa Wennstroem (Öjebyn, Sweden) made the save to keep the contest tied heading into the break.
- Second-Half Battle: The Rock threatened early in the second half before Respecki recorded Gannon's first shot on goal in the 52nd minute, forcing a save from Leah Allman. Wennstroem answered with another save in the 59th minute on an attempt from Jordyn Constable to preserve the scoreless tie.
- Gannon Threatens: The Golden Knights generated a flurry of scoring opportunities midway through the second half. Gianna Barela (Erie, Colorado/Erie) forced a save in the 64th minute before Jessie Watkins (Bowie, Md./Bowie) had a shot cleared by the Slippery Rock defense. Respecki followed with another shot on goal, but Allman turned away the attempt to keep the match scoreless.
- Late Regulation Push: Gannon continued its offensive pressure in the closing minutes, with Hannah Shepard (Erie, Pa./McDowell) forcing another save in the 87th minute and Billman sending a shot high in the 90th minute. Both teams recorded six shots in the second half, but neither side could find the breakthrough as the championship match headed to overtime.
- Respecki's Overtime Heroics: The Golden Knights maintained the pressure in overtime, earning corner kicks in the 91st and 93rd minutes. Respecki finally broke through at the 93:59 mark, scoring the golden goal to deliver Gannon its first PSAC Tournament championship.
- First Lead, Biggest Moment: After playing from behind in both regular-season meetings with Slippery Rock, Gannon took its first lead over the Rock all season when Respecki scored at the 93:59 mark. The Golden Knights couldn't have picked a better time for their first advantage, as the golden goal secured the program's first PSAC championship.
- Tournament MVP: Respecki earned PSAC Tournament Most Valuable Player honors after finishing the three-match tournament with four goals, one assist and nine points. She recorded 14 shots, including 10 on goal, and scored two game-winning goals, highlighted by Sunday's overtime championship winner.
- A Milestone to Remember: Respecki's championship-winning strike was the 50th goal of her career, putting her just one shy of Amanda Sharbaugh's program record of 51. The senior also became Gannon's all-time career points leader during the PSAC Tournament and now has 142 career points.
- Defensive Excellence: Wennstroem finished with two saves to record the shutout, while Gannon's back line limited Slippery Rock to just two shots on goal and held the Rock without an attempt in overtime.
- Dominating the Statistics: Gannon finished with a 15-10 advantage in shots, including a 6-2 edge in shots on goal, and earned 14 corner kicks compared to five for Slippery Rock. Respecki led the Golden Knights with four shots, followed by Shepard with three and Billman and Dixon with two apiece.
- Taking Down the Ranked: Gannon knocked off its second nationally ranked opponent in three days, defeating No. 23 Slippery Rock after earning a 2-1 victory over No. 4 Kutztown in Friday's semifinals.
- Championship History: Gannon captured its first PSAC women's soccer tournament title after finishing as runner-up in 2022 and 2023. The championship was also the first PSAC Tournament title of head coach Colin Petersen's career.
- Historic Soccer Sweep: Gannon became the first PSAC school since East Stroudsburg in 2017 to capture both the men's and women's soccer tournament championships in the same season. Both Golden Knight teams secured their titles with 1-0 overtime victories.
- Bringing the Title Back West: Gannon became the first PSAC West team since Slippery Rock in 2019 to capture the conference tournament championship, ending a six-tournament stretch of titles won by Eastern Division programs.
- Spoiling the Home Celebration: Playing in front of 485 spectators at James Egli Field, Gannon handed No. 23 Slippery Rock its first home loss of the season. The Rock entered the championship with a 9-0-2 home record before Respecki's overtime winner spoiled its bid for a fifth PSAC title.
- Unbeaten Streak Continues: Gannon extended its unbeaten streak to 18 matches (15-0-3), matching the longest in program history, previously established during the 2024 season from September 5 through November 12 (14-0-4).
- Among the Program's Best: Gannon improved to 16-2-3 overall, tying the 2024 and 2025 teams for the third-most wins in a single season in program history. Only the 2015 team (18 wins) and 2023 team (17 wins) have recorded more victories.
Up Next
With the victory, Gannon earns the PSAC's automatic berth into the NCAA Division II Women's Soccer Tournament. The Golden Knights will learn their first-round opponent and tournament destination during the NCAA Division II Women's Soccer Selection Show on Monday, November 9, at 7 p.m. ET on NCAA.com.
This story was written using the support of AI.
