Gwynedd Valley, Pa. - (2/23/2022) - Gwynedd Mercy University (2-1) gave Delaware Valley University (0-1) little hope of competing in tonight's home opener as a 10-1 first-quarter set the stage for a 19-5 Griffin victory.
Freshman attack
Hailey Bloom (Margate City, N.J.) (14:39, 6:00, 5:17) and sophomore attack
Kristin Varilla (Lansdale, Pa.) (10:56, 10:30, 8:59, 3:54, 3:15) took turns headlining the Gwynedd Mercy University offense in the first frame, combining for eight of the Griffins' 10 goals in the frame. Senior attack
Anna Grace Bernicker (Merion Station, Pa.) deposited Gwynedd Mercy University's first two tallies (10:09, 9:16) of the second frame, triggering an early running clock. The Griffins scored twice more before intermission, pushing their advantage to 14-1 (1:16).
In the second half, the Aggies used goals at 14:05 and 5:30 to reduce the deficit to 14-3, but a determined Griffin defense recovered and piloted the home side to the eventual 19-5 (1:26) final.
Varilla topped the Gwynedd Mercy University half of the box score with six points (5 goals, 1 assist), nine shots, and two ground balls. Meanwhile, Bloom finished the affair with four points (3 goals, 1 assist), five shots, four ground balls, a draw control, and four caused turnovers. Senior attack
Meleah Hoats (Conyngham, Pa.) contributed six points (4 goals, 2 assists), five shots, three ground balls, and a caused turnover to the victory.
Midfielder
Laura Pelczar (Philadelphia, Pa.) offered three goals, five shots, and four draw controls. Junior midfielder
Damali Teagle (Philadelphia, Pa.) was a major factor in the circle with 10 draw controls. She also recorded three points (1 goal, 2 assists), two ground balls, and a caused turnover.
In goal, junior
Reilly Owens (Pottstown, Pa.) (30:00) and senior
Julia Smith (Williamstown, N.J.) (30:00) split the quarters; Owens made five saves and recovered a ground ball in the win (2-1). Smith recorded three saves and two ground balls in the later 30 minutes.
Gwynedd Mercy University returns to the GMercyU Athletic Complex on Saturday, February 26, when they host Keystone College in a 12:00 p.m. contest.
