Gannon University’s women’s soccer program has released its 2026 campaign, a schedule that promises another rigorous test as the Golden Knights chase a fifth straight appearance in the NCAA Division II Tournament and a second consecutive Top 25 finish.
2026 Schedule Overview
The regular season will consist of 18 matches, eight of which will be played on the team’s home turf at McConnell Family Stadium in Erie, Pennsylvania. The slate opens on August 29 with a home contest against Seton Hill and continues with a home game versus Clarion on September 2.
Head coach Colin Petersen has described the upcoming calendar as one of the most demanding in recent memory, emphasizing that every opponent will require full preparation.
Among the highlighted matchups are non‑conference meetings with Roberts Wesleyan on September 23 and Adelphi on October 14. The team previously routed Roberts Wesleyan 5‑0 and recorded a historic 5‑1 victory over then‑No. 24 Adelphi, results that Petersen says underscore the squad’s capability to compete with elite competition.
Legacy and Ambition
The 2025 season ended with a 16‑3‑2 record, marking the fifth straight year the program advanced to the NCAA Division II Tournament. Gannon concluded the year ranked No. 25 in the United Soccer Coaches Top 25 Poll, a testament to sustained excellence.
Conference play will see the Golden Knights host traditional rivals such as Lock Haven, Slippery Rock, IUP, Edinboro, California (Pa.) and Pitt‑Johnstown, while also traveling to face Lock Haven on October 17. The Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Tournament is slated to begin on October 31, setting the stage for a potential postseason run.
If the regular season unfolds as planned, the team will conclude its schedule on October 28 at Clarion before turning its attention to the PSAC Tournament and, ultimately, the NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional slated for November 12. The ultimate prize — the NCAA Division II Final Four and national championship — will be contested in Kansas City, Missouri, from December 3‑5 at CPKC Stadium.