Lancaster, PA – (10/27/2022) – With the completion of all league schedules, Commissioner Jessica Huntley has officially released the seeding for the upcoming 2022 Atlantic East Conference (AEC) Field Hockey Championship Tournament. A 3-3 conference record and a head-to-head win (W, 2-1 on Oct. 19) versus Immaculata University places Gwynedd Mercy University as the fourth seed in the playoff bracket, opposite the very same Mighty Macs. The other AEC Quarterfinal matchup features #6 Manhattanville College at #3 Marywood University. Both opening round games are scheduled for 1:00 p.m. starts on Saturday, October 29.
 
A perfect 6-0 league record awards St. Mary's College of Maryland the #1 seed in the AEC Championship field. Reigning champions, Cabrini University (5-1) holds the #2 seed and like the Seahawks they will have a bye through the quarterfinal round. After Saturday's competitions, the lowest remaining seed will visit St. Mary's College and the second lowest seed will travel to Cabrini University for a November-2 semifinals. The AEC Championship is scheduled to take place on Saturday, November 5 at the home of the highest remaining seed.
 
Gwynedd Mercy University recovered from a 0-3 AEC start with consecutive victories over Immaculata University (W, 2-1 on Oct. 19), Neumann University (W, 5-0 on Oct. 22), and Mahattanville College (W, 6-0 on Oct. 25). During that stretch, graduate forward Caitlyn Thornton (Ivyland, Pa.) ignited the offense with 11 points (3 goals, 5 assists) and sophomore goalkeeper Morgan Lawless (Bristol, Pa.) was named the AEC Defensive Player of the Week for her nine saves and league wins over the Mighty Macs (7 saves) and Knights (2).
 
Thornton currently leads the Griffins with 23 points (7 goals, 9 assists); plenty of support has been provided by sophomore forward Cheyenne Avellino (Egg Harbor, N.J.) (22 points; 9 goals, 4 assists), sophomore forward Amber Sims (Perkasie, Pa.) (16 points; 8 goals, and graduate defender Kaci Murray (Chalfont, Pa.) (11 points; 3 goals, 5 assists).
 
The 2022 AEC Field Hockey Championship seeding and schedule is provided below;
 
SEEDING (AEC RECORD)
#1 St. Mary's College of Maryland (6-0)
#2 Cabrini University (5-1)
#3 Marywood University (3-3)
#4 Gwynedd Mercy University (3-3)
#5 Immaculata University (3-3)
#6 Manhattanville College (1-5)
 
QUARTERFINALS
Saturday, October 29th
#6 Manhattanville College at #3 Marywood University (1:00 p.m.)
#5 Immaculata University at #4 Gwynedd Mercy University (1:00 p.m.)
 
SEMIFINALS
Wednesday, November 2nd
#1 St. Mary's College (MD) hosts lowest remaining seed (TBA)
#2 Cabrini University hosts next lowest remaining seed (TBA)
 
CHAMPIONSHIP
Saturday, November 5th
Winners of semifinals at the highest remaining seed (TBA)