The Gannon women’s soccer team is ranked No. 5 nationally in the United Soccer Coaches Division II preseason poll.

Trainer Colin PetersonThe team is coming off a stellar 2023 season in which the Golden Knights won the NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional and advanced to the Elite Eight. Gannon finished with a record of 17-5-3, which included NCAA Tournament victories over Mercyhurst, Charleston (W.Va.) and fellow PSAC team West Chester.

In the 2024 preseason poll, Gannon trails only No. 1 seed and 2023 national champion Point Loma Nazarene, runner-up Washburn, and semifinalists Florida Tech and Adelphi in the first poll. Gannon’s 2023 season ended with a 1-0 loss to Adelphi in the national quarterfinals.

West Chester (No. 11) and Kutztown (No. 25) are the only other PSAC teams ranked in the top 25.

Petersen welcomes back many key players from the memorable 2023 season, including All-America award winners Grace Emanuel (Erie, Pa./McDowell) And Brooklyn Respecki (McKean, Pennsylvania/General McLane)All-Atlantic Region Goalkeeper Morgan Sinan (Cranberry Twp., Pennsylvania/Seneca Valley)and All-PSAC selections Ella Fadale (Brockport, NY/Brockport), Hannah Shepard (Erie, Pa./McDowell)And Gabby Boden (Butler, Pa./Butler).

Gannon is scheduled to open the season on Sept. 5 at the Kutztown University Invitational against No. 20 Charleston. Check out Gannon’s schedule.