ASTON, PA. -- Four second-half goals turned a 1-0 halftime lead into a runaway win for the Gwynedd Mercy Field Hockey team in a 5-0 CSAC victory at Neumann Wednesday night. The win also clinches a playoff berth the Griffins.

Melissa Russo spearheaded the offense, recording her fifth hat trick of the season, as she netted all three goals in the second half. Brianna O'Connell and Maggie Walsh also scored for GMercyU (10-5, 5-0 CSAC).

Goalie Samantha Soscia registered five saves on the night for her first shutout on the year. Caitlyn Johnson made six stops for the Knights (9-6, 2-3 CSAC).

O'Connell would convert on a penalty stroke in the 15th minute to notch goal number 13 on the season and the early lead. Gwynedd would officially record three shots in the first 35 minutes, but would turn it on in the second, firing off 15 in the stanza. Russo would set up Walsh on a penalty corner, one of 10 in the frame, for a 2-0 edge. The score would be Walsh's third of the season.

From there, Russo would score three times over a 15 minute span later in the second to put the game out of reach. The three goals now give her 21 on the year.

Gwynedd Mercy will head to Keystone on Saturday with a chance to clinch the top playoff seed in the CSAC Tournament which begins on November 2nd.