DALLAS, PA. -- Melissa Russo notched her eighth career hat trick, tallying four goals and an assist to help lead Gwynedd Mercy to a 5-2 season-opening win at Misericordia on Friday in first game the host's tournament.

Brianna O'Connell added a score and two assists as GMercyU built a 3-1halftime lead and did not look back.

For Russo, the four goals give her 65 for her career, just four shy of tying the all-time program record. O'Connell also made the history books, as she now moves into fifth place with 42 career goals.

The Griffins outshot the Cougars, 12-7, and recorded 10 penalty corners to Misericordia's two.

Goalie Sarah Crane saw all seven shots and recorded one save before rookie Abi Kennedy entered late in the contest.

Up 2-1 late in the first half, O'Connell stretched it to a two-goal lead as Russo set up a score. O'Connell later assisted on both second half goals by Russo before the Cougars capped the scoring with a late tally.

Gwynedd will take on King's, who fell to Salisbury, 4-0 in the day's other contest, tomorrow in action at Misericordia starting at 1 p.m.