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Gwynedd Mercy 5, Cabrini 1
2014 CSAC Championship


BOX SCORE

PHOTO GALLERY

 

RADNOR, PA. -- Not one, not two, not three but FOUR Championships in a row now for the Gwynedd Mercy University Field Hockey Team as the Griffins defended their Colonial States Athletic Conference Championship Saturday at top seeded Cabrini on Saturday winning 5-1 to claim the 2014 CSAC Field Hockey Title.

Junior Stephanie Bacho (Cinnaminson, N.J. / Holy Cross) was named the Championship MVP with her three-goal performance on Saturday. GM would score four of their five goals in the second half to come away with the win.

Bacho got the Griffins on the board early with her goal at the 14:27 mark when she capitalized on a Cavalier turnover to put her shot to the far post just inside the cage. Gwynedd would take the 1-0 lead into the half.

Cabrini would answer in the second half just fifty two seconds to be exact when Karlie Gruccio redirected a pass from Taylor Mack and the contest was tied up at 1-1.

Less than two minutes later, freshman Brianna O'Connell (Berlin, N.J. / Eastern) helped the Griffins regain the lead with her score at the 37:10 mark on an assist from Abigail Gabriel (Telford, Pa. / Souderton). O'Connell's goal would turn out to be the game winner.

The Griffins tacked on some insurance when Katie O'Neill (Newtown, Pa. / Council Rock North) would stay put on the far post and bury a pass from Brittany Wilson (Huntingdon Valley, Pa. / Lower Moreland) off of a penalty corner.

Bacho added her second goal when Melissa Russo (Saylorsburg, Pa. / Pleasant Valley) made a spectacular play keeping the ball in play on the sideline to spring her for the breakaway goal.

The hat trick became complete when Bacho netted her third goal off of a penalty corner as the clock expired.

Senior goalie Kelly Kruk (Phoenixville, Pa. / Methacton) made five saves in goal for Gwynedd to claim her fourth championship as the Griffins goalie. Her counterpart Taylor Bookman made two saves.

The Griffins have now qualified for the NCAA Division III National Tournament and will await their selection on Sunday night at 10:30 p.m.