GWYNEDD VALLEY, PA. -- The Gwynedd Mercy University Women's Soccer team advances to the Colonial States Athletic Conference Championship after taking down #4 seeded Marywood University on Wednesday night, 5-1, in semifinal action.

Coming out firing early in the first, senior Megan Gifford connected with junior Ariety Fellenz who placed a well-timed header past Pacer goalie Aly Moyer to go up 1-0 just 1:42 into the contest.  Not long after, sophomore Megan Petroski found junior Brittany Mitchell in the center of the box to go up 2-0 with 23:44 remaining in the half.

Petroski and Mitchell would strike again with 9:46 left to go up 3-0.  The Pacers would answer the three-goal run when Julie Youngman got MU (9-7-4) on the board off a pass from Allison Warner on a nice give and go.  But the Griffins were quick to strike again as Petroski would tally her third assist of the half finding Jess Fath on the right side of the box.

Leading in shots 10-6 and corners 4-2 the Griffins had a three goal cushion entering the second half of play.

Mitchell went on to tally the only goal of the second half and her third of the game with 15 minutes left in regulation to put the Griffins up 5-1.  Her three goal performance is her first career hat-trick.

The Griffins outshot the Pacers 18-7 overall and took the advantage in corners at 8-4

Griffin goaltender and 2015 Defensive Player of the Year, Jess Tadley, recorded five saves in the win for GM.  Moyer registered seven for the Pacers.

The Griffins (12-3-3) will play in the Colonial State Athletic Conference Championship this Saturday.  GM will face off against the winner of Cabrini and Rosemont who play at 6:30 p.m. this evening.  Check back for full championship details.