Pelczar Garners AEC Women’s Lacrosse Offensive Player of the Week Honor
Lancaster, Pa. – (2/22/2022) – Gwynedd Mercy University senior attack Laura Pelczar (Philadelphia, Pa.) was named the Atlantic East Conference (AEC) Women’s Lacrosse Offensive Player of the Week on the league’s first report of the season. Pelczar recorded nine points (5 goals, 4 assists), nine shots, five ground balls, seven draw controls, and six caused turnovers in last week’s 1-1 effort versus King’s College (PA) (W, 15-4 on Feb. 16) and Alvernia University (L, 10-17 on Feb. 19).
Gwynedd Mercy University (1-1) opened their 2022 season on Wednesday, February 16, with triumphant flare as they departed King's College (PA) (0-1) with a 15-4 victory over the Monarchs. King's College recorded the first goal of the affair, 1-0 (11:56, 1QTR), but did not effect the scoreboard until midway through the third quarter (11-2, 8:23, 3QTR) as the Griffins rattled off 11 straight goals to lead 2-1 (1:12) at the end of the first frame, 8-1 (7:40) at intermission, and 11-1 with 10:45 left in the third quarter before the second Monarch tally. Afterwards, a 4-2 spread in Gwynedd Mercy University's favor precipitated the final 11-point difference; 15-4 (2:02).
The Griffins dominated the box score with a 35-18 shot advantage, 9-of-10 successful clears, and 14 caused turnovers. Sophomore attack Kristin Varilla (Lansdale, Pa.) and Pelczar headlined the Griffins' offensive outburst with six points apiece. Pelczar split her six points between goals (3) and assists (3) while also recording three ground balls, five draw controls, and a team-high five caused turnovers.
A 3-3 contest with 3:16 remaining in the first quarter, Saturday's (Feb. 19) game at Alvernia University (1-0) ended with Gwynedd Mercy University (1-1) on the short end of a 17-10 final. The Wolves separated from the Griffins in the closing minutes of that first period, marking four consecutive tallies (2:35, 1:50, 0:16, 0:00) en route to a 7-3 quarter break. Gwynedd Mercy University turned up the defense in the second quarter as they limited Alvernia University to a single score and an 8-3 (8:47) halftime lead.
After intermission, two more home tallies (13:18, 13:07) advanced the deficit to seven goals, 10-3, before senior attack Anna Grace Bernicker (Merion Station, Pa.) marked the Griffins' fourth goal with unassisted effort with 11:25 remaining in the third quarter; 10-4. She later bookend the Wolves 11th score, 11-4 (10:59), with her second score of the game at 10:42; 11-5. Unfortunately, a 5-0 Alvernia University run ended the frame, 16-5 (1:34), and provided the necessary distance to endure the Griffins in a 17-10 (2:44) conclusion.
Pelczar offered a team-high three points as she paired her a goal with an assist, two ground balls, two draw controls, and a caused turnover.
Gwynedd Mercy University competes next on Wednesday, February 23, when they welcome Delaware Valley University to campus for a 4:00 p.m. home opener.
