Penn College News

Spotlight on Sports: Six teams in action

Monday, September 21, 2026

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Six fall sports teams were in action for Penn College last week, starting with men's golf last Sunday and Monday in the team’s season-opener at the Toftrees Invitational. Men's and women's soccer picked up victories on Tuesday, while the men's tennis team downed King's College on Friday, and women's tennis defeated Lock Haven for the first time since the 2019-20 season. Women's volleyball also competed hard at the Grove City/Westminster Coaches vs. Cancer Invitational on Friday and Saturday.

Penn College inducted its 2026 Hall of Fame Class on Friday evening, honoring Brittan Kittle ’21 (baseball) and Taylor (Brooks) Esposito ’19 (softball) for their athletic achievements while playing for Penn College. The Wildcats also recognized 61 former student-athletes, coaches and staff in the inaugural Penn College Ring of Honor class at UPMC Field on Saturday between the men's and women's soccer games, part of the Wildcat Weekend activities.

On the horizon: The Wildcats' soccer and volleyball teams gear up for United East Conference competition on Saturday as the men's and women's soccer teams host Penn State Brandywine and women's volleyball heads to Lancaster Bible College.

Men's and women's soccer get this week's action started on Wednesday, with the men hosting Pitt-Greensburg in their final nonconference game of the season. The women travel to Ramapo, and women's volleyball heads to Elmira. Also on the schedule this week, men's and women's cross-country competes at the Lock Haven Invitational on Saturday, and men's golf hosts the Division III Northeast Elite tournament on Sunday and Monday.

 

WOMEN'S SOCCER

The Wildcats went 1-1 against nonconference opponents Penn State Altoona and Moravian University. Freshman Lily Persing (Northumberland) did all of the scoring in a 3-1 victory at Penn State Altoona on Tuesday. It marked Persing's first career goals and hat-trick. She was assisted by senior Makalya Bucks (Palmyra) in the eighth minute, senior Sierra Klinger (Herndon) in the 10th minute and freshman Camryn Lobb (Lititz) in the 50th minute. On Saturday, Lobb gave the Wildcats a quick score in just the sixth minute against Moravian, but the Greyhounds netted two goals in the first half and one in the second for a 3-1 final. On the week, freshman Harley Oliphant (Red Lion) combined for nine saves, five against Altoona and four against Moravian.

SCHEDULE/RECORD
Overall: 4-2-0
UEC: 0-0-0
Tuesday, Sept. 15 – at Penn State Altoona, W, 3-1
Saturday, Sept. 19 – vs. Moravian University, L, 1-3
Wednesday, Sept. 23 – at Ramapo, 7 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 26 – vs. Penn State Brandywine, 1 p.m.
Tuesday, Sept. 29 – at Penn State Berks, 5 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 3 – vs. Wilson College (Senior Day), 1 p.m.

 

MEN'S SOCCER

It was another week of mixed results for men's soccer as the team went 1-1-1 with a 4-2 victory against Pitt-Bradford, a 2-2 tie against Penn State Schuylkill and a 1-0 loss against Ramapo. Against the Panthers on Tuesday, four Wildcats scored: freshman Warrick Beachy (Mifflinburg), freshman Andrew Mathes (Shavertown), senior Jimmy Friedman (East Greenville) and freshman Christian Bressler (Lititz). Sophomore Diego Diaz (Abbottstown) dished out two assists, and junior Elliott Rattiram (Landisville) was credited with one assist. Freshman Owen Ragula (Hanover) recorded 10 saves in the victory.

In a 2-2 draw against Penn State Schuylkill on Thursday, sophomore Joshua Hudak (Allentown) answered both Lions goals, with his second goal coming in the 86th minute. Against the Ramapo Roadrunners on Saturday, the Wildcats fired off four shots on goal but were held scoreless for just the second time this season. Sophomore Justin Crismale (Glen Gardner, N.J.) tallied two saves in net.

SCHEDULE/RECORD
Overall: 3-3-2
UEC: 0-0-0
Tuesday, Sept. 15 – vs. Pitt-Bradford, W, 4-2
Thursday, Sept. 17 – vs. Penn State Schuylkill, T, 2-2
Saturday, Sept. 19 – vs. Ramapo, L, 0-1
Wednesday, Sept. 23 – vs. Pitt-Greensburg, 6 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 26 – vs. Penn State Brandywine, 3:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Sept. 29 – at Penn State Berks, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 3 – vs. Lancaster Bible, 3:30 p.m.

 

WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL

Junior Peyton Maass (Harrisburg) was selected to the Grove City/Westminster Coaches vs. Cancer Volleyball All-Tournament Team, highlighting the weekend action for the Wildcats. Penn College competed against Thiel, Saint Vincent and Westminster with final scores of 0-3 in all three matchups. Maass accumulated a team high 19 points, 17 kills and a .119 hitting percentage. Freshman Gabby McKenzie (Washington) led the team with 16 assists, and sophomore Taryn Smith (Edinburg) posted 13 assists and a team-best seven service aces across all three matches.

SCHEDULE/RECORD
Overall: 0-10
UEC: 0-0
Friday, Sept. 18 – vs. Thiel, L, 0-3
Saturday, Sept. 19 – vs. Saint Vincent College, L, 0-3
Saturday, Sept. 19 – at Westminster, L, 0-3
Wednesday, Sept. 23 – at Elmira, 6 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 26 – at Lancaster Bible, 11 a.m.
Saturday, Sept. 26 – vs. Keuka College (at LBC), 1 p.m.
Wednesday, Sept. 30 – vs. Penn State Harrisburg, 7 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 3 – vs. Gallaudet, 11 a.m.
Saturday, Oct. 3 – vs. Lebanon Valley, 3 p.m.

 

MEN'S TENNIS

The Wildcats improved to 2-0 on the season with a 6-1 victory against King's College on Friday evening. Earning victories for the Wildcats were sophomore Josh Myers (Hughesville), freshman Eli Greeley (Abington), senior Matt Williams (West Milford), senior Valentino Barillaro (Selinsgrove) and sophomore Christian Ambromovage (Exeter) in singles. Penn College swept all three doubles matches as seniors Cruz Nagle (Muncy) and Connor Stank (York Haven) won by forfeit at No. 3, Myers and Greeley won, 6-1, at No. 1, and Williams and sophomore Avery Hawk (York Springs) scored a 6-1 win at No. 2.

SCHEDULE/RECORD
Overall: 2-0
UEC: 0-0
Friday, Sept. 18 – vs. King's College, W, 6-1
Friday, Sept. 25 – at Mount Aloysius, 4 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 27 – at Misericordia, noon
Saturday, Oct. 3 – vs. Susquehanna, 1 p.m.

 

WOMEN'S TENNIS

Penn College picked up an exciting 4-3 victory at Division II Lock Haven on Saturday. After the Bald Eagles claimed the doubles point, Penn College stole the match in singles play with victories from freshman Emma McLaughlin (South Williamsport), sophomore Leah Vest (Muncy), sophomore Kiera Wene (Ephrata) and senior Faith Murray (Dillsburg) in matches 1-4. The victory was the first against the Bald Eagles since the 2019-2020 fall season.

SCHEDULE/RECORD
Overall: 0-1
UEC: 0-0
Friday, Sept. 11 – at Lycoming College, L, 2-5
Saturday, Sept. 19 – at Lock Haven University, W, 4-3
Friday, Sept. 25 – at Mount Aloysius, 4 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 27 – at Misericordia, noon
Saturday, Oct. 3 – vs. Susquehanna, 1 p.m.

 

MEN'S GOLF

Penn College tied for 13th at the Toftrees Invitational with a two-round total of 614, led by Chase Dillman (Gilbertsville), who tied for 15th at 147 (+3) at the 6,674 -yard, par-72 Toftrees Golf Resort. The Wildcats opened with a 301 on Sunday and shot 313 in the second round on Monday.

Logan Gawlinski (Kittanning) tied for 35th at 6-over 150 after rounds of 71 and 79, and Brett Keenan (Plymouth Meeting) tied for 53rd at 9-over 153 with rounds of 77 and 76. Carter Girton (Jersey Shore) placed 80th with rounds of 78 and 77 to finish at 166 (+22) and Bryce Carey (Montoursville) was two shots behind at 168 (+24) as the two made their collegiate debuts.

SCHEDULE
Sunday-Monday, Sept. 13-14 – at Toftrees Invitational, T13 of 16
Sunday-Monday, Sept. 27-28 – host Northeast Elite, All Day
Monday-Tuesday, Oct. 5-6 – at Red Flash Invitational, All Day
Thursday, Oct. 8 – host United East Fall Preview, All Day
Sunday-Monday, Oct. 18-19 – at The Melee, All Day

 

MEN'S & WOMEN'S CROSS-COUNTRY

Penn College’s runners had a week to rest and are ready to compete at the Lock Haven Invitational on Saturday.

SCHEDULE
Saturday, Sept. 26 – at Lock Haven Invitational, 10 a.m.
Thursday, Oct. 8 – vs. Lycoming College, 5 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 17 – at Aubrey Shenk invitational (Gettysburg, Pa.), 10 a.m.
Friday, Oct. 23 – at Last Chance Invitational (Lebanon, Pa.), 3:45 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 31 – at United East Championships (Lebanon, Pa.), noon

For additional information, visit the Wildcat Athletics website . For more about the United East, visit the conference website .