O’Donnell and Romano Recognized on AEC Men’s Soccer Weekly Honor Roll
Lancaster, Pa. – (9/23/2024) – Gwynedd Mercy University sophomore midfielder Luke O’Donnell (Glenside, Pa.) and junior goalkeeper Joe Romano (Blue Bell, Pa.) were the latest Griffins to appear on the Atlantic East Conference (AEC) Men’s Soccer Weekly Honor Roll as the duo garnered recognition for their play in a 1-1 week versus Delaware Valley University (L, 0-1 on Sept. 18) and the University of Valley Forge (W, 2-1 on Sept. 21). O’Donnell took three shots in a 1-0 loss to the Aggies before having a career day - three points ( 1 goal, 1 assist) and seven shots - in the Griffins’ 2-1 win over the Patriots. Meanwhile, Romano totaled 15 saves; 11 kept the Red and Gold in the contest with the Aggies, while four others earned him his second win of the season (2-6) against the Patriots.
Pratt Institute of Technology freshman midfielder Omri Hadad (Tel Aviv, Israel) was named the AEC Men’s Soccer Player of the Week, while the AEC Defensive Player of the Week honor went to Centenary University (N.J.) junior goalkeeper Kevin Velasquez-Mejia (New Brunswick, N.J.). O’Donnell and Romano were joined on the Weekly Honor Roll by Immaculata University senior Matthew Kirkpatrick (Brick, N.J.) and senior goalkeeper John Wilhelm (Freehold, N.J.), Marymount University sophomore midfielder Erick Shoetter-Rojas (Centreville, Pa.) and junior defenseman Daniel Yi (Rockville, Md.), and Pratt Institute senior goalkeeper Carter Tillman (Atlanta, Ga.).
Gwynedd Mercy University (2-5-1) traveled to Delaware Valley University (5-2) for Wednesday’s contest. There, the Aggies continuously put pressure on the Griffins and eventually broke through Romano (2-5-1) and the Red and Gold the defense in the 78th-minute (0-1, 77:17). Gwynedd Mercy University was outshot 22-8 in the game and failed to record a shot in the first half. O’Donnell owned a share of the team-lead in shots with three.
For just the second time since August 30, Gwynedd Mercy University played host as they welcomed the University of Valley Forge (2-7) to campus for a Saturday matinee. The Griffins had multiple scoring opportunities before headers from junior midfielder C.J. Clyde (Southampton, Pa.) (10:39) and junior defenseman Hagan Meyer (Warrington, Pa.) (13:26) sailed just high of the Patriot goal. The Red and Gold eventually found the back of the net on O’Donnell’s goal in the 35th-minute (1-0, 34:29) and recorded the game-winner on Clyde’s score in the 51st minute (2-1, 50:09). O’Donnell totaled a career-high seven shots, while Romano made four saves in the win.
Gwynedd Mercy University continues their schedule on Monday, September 23, when they visit Fairleigh Dickinson University (FDU)-Florham for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff.
