Pelczar Returns to AEC Women’s Lacrosse Weekly Report for Top Defender Award
Lancaster, Pa. – (2/28/2022) – Gwynedd Mercy University senior midfielder Laura Pelczar (Philadelphia, Pa.) made it back-to-back weeks earning league recognition as her performances in the Griffins’ wins over Delaware Valley University (W, 19-5 on Feb. 23) and Keystone College (W, 19-6 on Feb. 26) garnered her the Atlantic East Conference (AEC) Women’s Lacrosse Defensive Player of the Week award. Pelczar controlled the field in the Gwynedd Mercy University wins with 10 points (7 goals, 3 assists), 11 ground balls, eight draw controls, and six caused turnovers versus the Aggies and Giants.
Gwynedd Mercy University (3-1) gave Delaware Valley University (0-1) little hope of competing in Wednesday (Feb. 23) night's home opener as a 10-1 first-quarter set the stage for a 19-5 Griffin victory. Freshman attack Hailey Bloom (Margate City, N.J.) (14:39, 6:00, 5:17) and sophomore attack Kristin Varilla (Lansdale, Pa.) (10:56, 10:30, 8:59, 3:54, 3:15) took turns headlining the Gwynedd Mercy University offense in the first frame, combining for eight of the Griffins' 10 goals in the frame. Senior attack Anna Grace Bernicker (Merion Station, Pa.) deposited Gwynedd Mercy University's first two tallies (10:09, 9:16) of the second frame, triggering an early running clock. The Griffins scored twice more before intermission, pushing their advantage to 14-1 (1:16). In the second half, the Aggies used goals at 14:05 and 5:30 to reduce the deficit to 14-3, but a determined Griffin defense recovered and piloted the home side to the eventual 19-5 (1:26) final. Pelczar offered three goals, five shots, and four draw controls to the victory.
Gwynedd Mercy University continued their strong start to the 2022 season with Saturday (Feb. 26) afternoon's 19-6 (0:03) victory over Keystone College (0-1). The Griffins wasted little time establishing their dominance of the Giants as Pelczar netted the first two goals of the affair (14:25, 13:03) in the first two minutes; 2-0 (13:03). Keystone College responded with a tally at 12:20 (2-1), but the score only served as a speed bump to the Griffins' 9-2 (1:46) first-quarter edge. Senior defender Seydel Acuna (Philadelphia, Pa.) (13:49), Pelczar (13:34), and senior attack Meleah Hoats (Conyngham, Pa.) (12:52) quickly added three goals to the Gwynedd Mercy University advantage to force running clock early in the second quarter; 12-2 (12:52). With the 10-goal lead in hand, the Griffins cruised through the second half, pacing the Giants to a 16-4 (3:08) third-quarter spread and an eventual 13-point triumph. Pelczar finished with a career-high seven points, tying her career-highs in goals (4) and assists (3). She also recorded 11 ground balls, four draw controls, and six caused turnovers.
Gwynedd Mercy University returns the GMercyU Athletic Complex on Wednesday, March 2, when they host Wilkes University for a 7:00 p.m. opening draw.
