December 4, 2023/12:00a.m.
The Golden Knights Athletics department is back-to-back Dixon Cup champions (best athletic program in the PSAC), and if this past semester has been any indication, they are well on their way to a three-peat. The athletic performances of the Golden Knights have been stellar all fall, so much so that three fall sports teams are still competing in the NCAA postseason, and that momentum is transferring into the winter sports as well.
Volleyball
To this point, the Gannon Volleyball team has done exactly what everyone has come to expect them to do. They’ve won, won, and won some more. The back-to-back PSAC Champions are currently 27-4, ranked 25th in the nation, and they are the No. 1 seed and hosts of this year’s Atlantic Regional for the second year in a row. Led by D2CCA All-Atlantic Region players Journey Blevins and Emma Hall, along with AVCA All-Atlantic Region players Hailey Koch and Madde Blake, the Golden Knights will look to repeat as Atlantic Region Champions this season, after advancing to the Elite 8 a season ago. They got off to a good start at achieving that goal by sweeping No. 8 seed West Liberty this past Thursday.
Men’s Soccer
After upsetting No. 2 seed Charleston (WV) 2-1 this past Thursday, Gannon’s Men’s Soccer team has punched their ticket to the Elite 8 of the NCAA tournament, continuing what has been a magical season for the Golden Knights. Led by D2CCA Atlantic Region Player of the Year, Tinashe Katsande, a total of 7 All-PSAC players, and the PSAC West Coach of the Year, Billy Colton, the Golden Knights are currently sitting at an 18-1-2 record. That ties the group for second in school history in wins. The Knights got to this point by finishing an undefeated 16-0-2 in the regular season, before falling for the first time of the season in the PSAC semifinals. The early exit from the PSAC tournament led to Gannon being ranked as the sixth seed in the Atlantic Region entering the NCAA Tournament. This proved to be no challenge for the Golden Knights as they knocked off No. 3 seeded Millersville to advance to the Sweet 16, and No. 2 seed Charleston to advance to the Elite 8. Waiting for the Golden Knights in the Elite 8 is a tough opponent in the defending national champions, Franklin Pierce, but regardless of the outcome, this season will go down as one of the best seasons in Gannon history.
Women’s Soccer
Not to be outdone, the Golden Knights Women’s Soccer team is also enjoying one of the best seasons in Gannon history. As the No. 4 seed in the Atlantic Region, they currently sit at 17-4-2, after upsetting top-seeded Charleston (WV) 3-1 in the second round of the tournament. This upset punched the Golden Knights’ ticket to the Sweet 16 and it sets up a rematch of the PSAC Championship final with No. 3 seed West Chester. A Golden Knights team that features the D2CCA Atlantic Region Player of the Year, Brooklyn Respecki, and a total of 7 All-PSAC players will have their chance to avenge their 2-1 PSAC Championship loss, continue their amazing NCAA tournament run, and join the Men’s team in punching their ticket to the Elite 8.
Men’s Basketball
Transitioning into winter sports, the Gannon Men’s Basketball team has exploded onto the scene to begin the season. Jordan Fee’s bunch is off to a 5-0 start, and they broke the school record for points twice in their first three games of the season. Their early season performances have even garnered national attention, earning them a debut in the D2CSC Top 25 at the No. 25 spot. The Golden Knights most recently just won the 39th Annual Gary Miller Classic, and they look poised to contend for the PSAC West title early in the season.
Women’s Basketball
Last but most certainly not least, Gannon’s Women’s Basketball team is off to a hot start as well. After beginning the season unranked but receiving votes in national polls, the Golden Knights are now 7-1 and ranked ninth in the WBCA Division II Top 25 and 13th in the D2SCS poll. The team is led by All-American Redshirt Senior Sam Pirosko, who has extended her double-double streak to 41 games and is pacing the Golden Knights in scoring, averaging 17.6 points per game. Last year’s PSAC West Freshman of the Year, Bri Claxon, is also having a strong sophomore campaign, averaging 10 points per game so far. With their hot start, the Golden Knights look like early PSAC title contenders, and a deep postseason run could potentially be on the horizon.
