Lia Petersen begins her 19th season as a member of the Gannon coaching staff in 2026, forming a family bond in the women’s soccer program. Lia is the wife of head coach Colin Petersen. The Knights have won 203 matches and qualified for the postseason 11 times during her 18 years on the coaching staff. The postseason appearances include nine trips to the NCAA Tournament.
It’s no coincidence that Gannon has produced a .500 record or better during 17 of the 18 seasons with Lia and Colin Petersen in charge. Though enjoying great success through the years, the past five years definitely represent some of the most successful in their tenure.
A year ago the Golden Knights posted a second straight 16-win season as they ended the year at 16-3-2, including 11-1-2 in the PSAC West. The 16 wins are tied for the third-highest season total, eclipsed only by 18 wins in 2015 and the 17-win campaign in 2023.
Gannon reached the quarterfinals of the PSAC Tournament then were selected for the NCAA Tournament for the fifth straight year and were awarded the number four seed.
Gannon defeated fifth-seeded Bloomsburg 2-0 in the opening round before the season came to an end with a 4-0 setback at Shepherd in the second round. They jumped out to 13-0-1 start and climbed as high as sixth in the national rankings before ending the year 25th in the final United Soccer Coaches Div. II Top 25.
The Golden Knights finished at 16-2-4 in 2024, reaching the NCAA Sweet 16 for the second straight year. They were undefeated throughout the regular season, posting a 14-0-4 record and climbing to fifth in the United Soccer Coaches Top 25 heading into the PSAC Tournament. The PSAC West regular season champions, Gannon hosted the PSAC Final Four while making a fourth straight appearance in the PSAC semifinals.
Unfortunately the Golden Knights were denied a chance at their third straight appearance in the championship game, dropping a 2-1 decision to Kutztown in the semifinals.
Gannon was awarded the second seed in the Atlantic Regional and hosted one of the two pods. The Golden Knights handled No. 7 seed Frostburg State 4-1 to earn a rematch with third seed Kutztown in the second round. Paige Taylor shocked the Golden Bears with just her second goal of the season with 28 seconds remaining in regulation for a 3-2 win.
The season came to an end in the Atlantic Regional championship match as top seed Shepherd, the PSAC champions, scored the lone goal of the match in the 74th minute to move on to the Elite Eight with a 1-0 win.
The 2023 Golden Knights squad enjoyed one of the finest seasons in Gannon women's soccer history. They made an unforgettable run against top competition through the NCAA Tournament to win the Atlantic Regional title and advance to the Elite Eight. The season ended with a 17-5-3 record, including a 13-2-1 mark in the PSAC West.
After losing to West Chester by a 2-1 score in the PSAC title game Gannon regrouped for the NCAA Tournament and reeled off three consecutive upsets to claim the Atlantic Regional title. The Golden Knights defeated rival Mercyhurst 1-0 in the first round and topped a tough Charleston (W.Va.) team 3-1 to advance to the regional championship game. Gannon emerged with the title after tying West Chester 1-1 and then defeating the Golden Rams 5-4 on penalty kicks. In the Elite Eight, GU played a tough Adelphi team to a 0-0 tie for 85 minutes before Adelphi emerged with a 1-0 win on a late goal.
In 2022 the Golden Knights qualified for the NCAA Tournament, finishing at 15-4-4 a year ago while reaching the PSAC Championship game for the first time. Gannon defeated Fairmont State 3-0 in the first round of the Atlantic Regional before losing to Kutztown 1-0 in the second round.
While the last few years leave some question there may not have been a better Gannon squad than the 2015 edition. The Knights went 17-1-0 during the regular season to capture the top seed in the PSAC Tournament before finishing at 18-3-0 overall, a school record for wins. The program became the third PSAC squad to win 17 matches in a row, ascending to the No. 1 position in four consecutive NSCAA Top 25 Polls. It represented the first No. 1 ranking in program history.
Gannon spent two weeks as the only team at any level of the NCAA without a loss or tie before falling at East Stroudsburg in the regular-season finale. They hosted the PSAC Final Four and first two rounds of the NCAA Tournament for the first time ever.
Petersen came to the collegiate level after serving as the girl’s soccer coach at Fairview (Pa.) High School for 11 seasons (1997-08). The Tigers won ten Region 2 titles and nine District 10 championships under Petersen. In addition, the program made three Western Final appearances.
Petersen starred on the soccer field during her collegiate playing days at Gannon. The former goalkeeper ranks 13th all-time at Gannon with 119 career saves, accounting for all 119 stops during the 1994 campaign. It marked the third-highest single-season total in school history.
Petersen received her bachelor of science degree in Therapeutic Recreation from Gannon in 1996. She graduated with a 3.86 grade point average and was a member of the Dean’s List throughout her collegiate career.
The couple resides in Erie with their four children, three of whom competed in athletics for the Golden Knights. Maddie was a member of the Gannon cross country team, while Charlie and Owen were members of the men’s soccer team. Lincoln is their youngest child at the age of nine.
Updated July 2026
