GWYNEDD VALLEY, PA. -- The Gwynedd Mercy University Field Hockey team notched their first win of the 2015 season beating Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham, 3-0, on a rainy Saturday afternoon.

In conjunction with USA Field Hockey's Grow the Game Initiative and National Field Hockey Day, the Griffins were joined by members of the Upper Perk Youth Field Hockey team during opening announcements.  An annual occurrence for the Griffins, they were joyed to have the Upper Perk players with them on the field.

With 4:42 left in the first, Gwynedd took a 1-0 lead when senior Sarah Yerk (Perkasie, Pa./Pennridge) connected with sophomore Abigail Gabriel (Telford, Pa./Souderton) for her first goal of the season.  Even though team chemistry was at an all-time high for the Griffins, they had trouble with the pouring rain and only outshot the Devils 2-1 in the half.

Early in the second, the Griffins (1-2) had another chance to capitalize on a call in the arc on the Devils resulting in a penalty stroke but senior Katie O'Neill (Newtown, Pa./Council Rock North) couldn't beat FDU keeper Amy Defnet and it remained a one-goal contest. With 12:39 to go sophomore goalie Samantha Soscia (Lambertville, N.J./South Hunterdon) made a huge diving save in front of the net following a strong offensive push on a corner for the Devils. Minutes later, the Griffins would answer the close call when senior Stephanie Bacho (Cinnaminson, N.J./Holy Cross) found sophomore Melissa Russo (Saylorsburg, Pa./Pleasant Valley) in the middle of the box to go up 2-0.

The Griffins would solidify the win when O'Neill would put Gwynedd up 3-0 after firing off a pass from Gabriel off a corner.

The Griffins outshot the Devils 13-4 overall and took a 13-11 advantage in penalty corners.

Soscia recorded three saves for her first career shutout win. Defnet closed out the day with six stops for the Devils (3-2).

The Griffins are back in action on Wednesday when they travel is Widener University for a 6 p.m. star