GWYNEDD VALLEY, PA. -- Gwynedd Mercy defeated Cabrini, 5-2, on Saturday afternoon to win their fifth-straight game of the season and stay unbeaten in CSAC play.

Sophomore Melissa Russo (Saylorsburg, Pa. / Pleasant Valley) led the Griffins with a pair of goals and an assiste. Katie O'Neill (Newtown, Pa. / Council Rock North) also helped the cause with her goal and helper as well for Gwynedd (9-4, 5-0 CSAC).

Prior to the game, the team in conjunction with Athletes Helping Athletes Inc., were joined by three honorary captains that took part in the coin toss; Cierra Fudula, Erin Campbell, and Ryan Farrell. The AHA is a non-profit organization that raises funds and awareness for Special Needs Programs in Bucks, Centre, Montgomery, and Philadelphia Counties.
 











Cabrini (7-7, 3-1 CSAC) struck first in the opening half on a Jenn Webb goal in the 11th minute when she played a give-and-go with Kylie McDevitt off of a penalty corner. The Griffins would respond just over three minutes later when sophomore Brianna O'Connell (Berlin, N.J. / Eastern) kept possession through traffic and found the back of the cage with her back hand shot near the end line.

The Cavaliers would regain the lead just before the 17-minute mark when Tiffany Phillips finished a cross that found her stick in front of the cage.  GM countered the Cabrini momentum when Russo would score her first goal to tie the game 2-2 when she connected on a rebound in front of the cage in the 30th minute where the teams took the 2-2 score into the halftime break.

The second half saw the Griffins net three goals and hold the Cavs to none. Just 1:43 into the stanza, the GM seized the momentum for good when senior Stephanie Bacho (Cinnaminson, N.J. / Holy Cross) put away the eventual game winner on the assist from Russo.  A little less than five minutes later O'Neill scored on a penalty stroke to make the game 4-2.  Russo would add the icing on the cake with her second on the day in the 61st minute when she put away an assist from O'Neill.

Samantha Soscia (Lambertville, N.J. / South Hunterdon) recorded seven saves to remain unbeaten in CSAC action. Cabrini keeper Taylor Bookman recorded four.

The squad returns to action on Monday when they will host Rhodes College at 4 p.m.