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Gwynedd Mercy 3, Susquehanna 2
GM wins shootout, 3-1

BOX SCORE


GWYNEDD VALLEY, PA. -- Gwynedd Mercy's field hockey team picked up its first victory Wednesday afternoon by defeating the Susquehanna Crusaders 3-2 in a shootout during their 2014 season home opener.  Senior goalkeeper Kelly Kruk (Phoenixville, Pa. / Methacton) came up big in the shootout holding off three of SU's attackers to solidify the win.

Griffins got on the board first when senior Brooke Oliver (Red Hill, Pa. / Upper Perkiomen) tallied a goal following a penalty corner after nearly 22 minutes of scoreless action.  Not long after, the Crusaders would answer with two quick assisted goals by Emily Novakovich (Saratoga, Calif. / Lynbrook) at 9:05 and 7:05 to put them up 2-1 going into the half.

In the second half, the Griffins matched the Crusaders in shots again at 4-4 but Gwynedd junior Megan Senkeleski (Little Silver, N.J. / Red Bank) would be the only player to sink a shot at 16:42 to tie up the game.  SU had one final chance to take the lead, but could not connect on a penalty corner at the end of regulation play.

In overtime, Gwynedd outshot SU 7-3 and took a slight advantage in corners leading 5-4.  Despite being on the attack, the Griffins could not hit their mark and would enter the shootout tied at 2-2.

Senior Brittany Wilson (Huntingdon Valley, Pa. / Lower Moreland) knocked the fourth attempt of the shootout past SU's junior goalkeeper Alyssa Rothman (Trooper, Pa. / Methacton) for the win.

Freshman Melissa Russo (Saylorsburg, Pa. / Pleasant Valley) and junior Stephanie Bacho (Cinnaminson, N.J. / Holy Cross) also scored in the shootout.  Kruk would close out her 115 minutes of play with 4 saves.

The Griffins take on Alvernia at home on September 13th at 2 p.m.