5 Golden Knights To Watch: The Gannon University Women's Lacrosse Outlook For 2025
The Gannon University Women's Lacrosse program, known as the Golden Knights, is deep into its 2025 campaign, navigating the highly competitive landscape of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) and the NCAA Division II Atlantic Region. As of late December 2025, the team has shown flashes of brilliance, particularly in key matchups, while continuing to develop a young roster under veteran leadership. The focus remains on improving their PSAC standing and leveraging individual talent to challenge the conference's top-tier programs like Seton Hill and West Chester.
The 2025 season builds upon a foundation of competitive spirit, with the team aiming to exceed its previous season's overall record of 5-12 (2-8 in conference play). Early results, including a hard-fought 12-10 victory over Daemen University and a challenging 8-17 loss to Belmont Abbey, highlight the team's potential and the demanding nature of their schedule. This comprehensive guide provides an up-to-date look at the Gannon Women's Lacrosse team, its leadership, and the key players driving the action.
Gannon Women's Lacrosse Program Profile & Coaching Staff
The Gannon Women's Lacrosse program is a proud member of the NCAA Division II and competes within the PSAC, one of the toughest conferences in the nation for the sport. The Golden Knights play their home games in Erie, Pennsylvania, and have a history of developing strong regional talent.
Head Coach: Jennifer Pawlowski
- Role: Head Women's Lacrosse Coach
- Tenure: Entering her sixth season (2024-25 academic year)
- Experience: A veteran of the PSAC, Pawlowski has been instrumental in building the program's structure and competitiveness.
- Previous Season: Guided the Golden Knights to five wins in the 2024 season.
Assistant Coach: Sara Kilian
- Role: Assistant Women's Lacrosse Coach
- Contribution: Works closely with player development and game-day strategy alongside Coach Pawlowski.
The coaching staff's continuity is a major strength, providing a stable environment for the student-athletes to grow both on the field and academically. Their focus on fundamentals and strategic play is key to navigating the rigorous PSAC schedule, which includes perennial powerhouses.
The 2025 Season: Key Statistics and PSAC Outlook
The 2025 season for Gannon is defined by a commitment to improving their offensive efficiency and defensive solidity. While the team's overall cumulative statistics show a need for balance—with 181 Goals For (GF) compared to 223 Goals Against (GA)—the underlying metrics reveal areas of promise and growth.
The Golden Knights' performance metrics, such as Goals Per Possession and Net Efficiency, are closely watched indicators of their strategic progress. While facing teams with high-powered offenses like Seton Hill, who are often ranked among the top PSAC contenders, Gannon focuses on controlling the pace of the game and maximizing their scoring opportunities.
The PSAC Western Division remains a gauntlet, featuring nationally recognized programs. Gannon’s ability to secure conference victories, such as those against rivals like Daemen University, is critical for their standing and potential qualification for the PSAC Women's Lacrosse Championship. The schedule is packed with challenging non-conference and conference matchups, including games against Ashland University, Frostburg State, Shepherd, and Catawba College, all of which test the team's depth and resilience.
5 Golden Knights Players Driving the 2025 Squad
The success of Gannon Women's Lacrosse hinges on the performance of its core players, who provide leadership, scoring punch, and defensive anchors. The 2025 roster features a mix of experienced upperclassmen and promising young talent. Here are five essential entities to watch:
1. Caroline Stevens (Attack/Midfield)
- Role: Offensive Catalyst
- Impact: Stevens is the team's primary scoring threat. She has consistently delivered high-volume scoring, exemplified by her 27th goal of the season being recorded in a competitive game against Seton Hill. Her ability to finish and create opportunities makes her indispensable in the attack zone.
2. Riley Finnegan (Goalkeeper)
- Class: Junior
- Hometown: Oviedo, Fla.
- Impact: As a Junior goalkeeper, Finnegan is the last line of defense. Her performance in the net is crucial for keeping the Golden Knights competitive in high-scoring contests. Her experience is vital for organizing the defense and managing the game tempo.
3. Ella Todd (Attack)
- Class: Junior
- Impact: Todd provides a reliable secondary scoring option and assists leader from the attack position. Her synergy with Stevens and her vision on the field are key to Gannon’s offensive flow.
4. Cat Simon (Midfielder)
- Class: Freshman
- Impact: Simon represents the future of the program. As a freshman midfielder, she is tasked with the demanding two-way play, contributing to both offense and defense. Her development in areas like Draw Controls will be a major factor in Gannon's ability to control possession in the coming years.
5. The Defensive Unit (Collective Entity)
- Impact: While individual defenders are crucial, the collective effort of the defensive unit is paramount. The unit is responsible for limiting opponent shots on goal and maximizing the success rate of Goalkeeper Finnegan. Their focus on communication and disciplined marking against high-powered PSAC opponents will determine the team's overall defensive statistics.
Topical Authority: Gannon's Place in NCAA DII Lacrosse
Gannon University Women's Lacrosse operates within the highly competitive landscape of NCAA Division II, a level of play known for its parity and regional strength. The PSAC, which Gannon competes in, is a perennial hotbed for national contenders, often sending multiple teams to the NCAA tournament. This intense competition means that every conference game carries significant weight for regional rankings and tournament consideration.
The Golden Knights' goal is to consistently improve their Goals Per Game average (currently around 10.6) while simultaneously reducing the opponent's scoring rate. Strategic victories against non-conference opponents like Frostburg State and Converse are essential for boosting their regional profile and overall NET (Net Efficiency) ranking, which is a key metric used for tournament selection. The program's history includes past successes, such as a trip to the 2001 NCAA Division II Final Four, a benchmark that the current coaching staff and players strive to reach again.
The 2025 season is not just about wins and losses; it is about the continued development of a robust, competitive program. With a dedicated coaching staff in Jennifer Pawlowski and Sara Kilian, and a core group of talented student-athletes, Gannon Women's Lacrosse is positioned to be a significant factor in the PSAC for years to come. The fans in Erie, Pennsylvania, eagerly anticipate the team's push for a spot in the 2025 PSAC Women's Lacrosse Championship bracket.
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