Gwynedd Valley, Pa. - (3/19/2022) - Gwynedd Mercy University (6-3) welcomed Hood College (3-3) to the GMercyU Athletic Complex for this afternoon's Hidden Opponent Awareness Game. The Blazers controlled the contest from the opening draw as they owned a 6-0 (0:01) first-quarter lead and a 12-2 (7:07) halftime advantage before a last-second score from sophomore attack Kristin Varilla (Lansdale, Pa.) concluded the affair on an 18-9 (0:00) final. Varilla led the Griffins in points with five (2 goals, 3 assists), but senior midfielder Laura Pelczar (Philadelphia, Pa.) and senior attack Meleah Hoats (Conyngham, Pa.) were major contributors as well. Pelczar totaled four points (3 goals, assist), three ground balls, and two caused turnovers, while Hoats finished with three points (2 goals, assist), a ground ball, and a caused turnover.

Hood College score six unanswered goals in the first quarter, leaving Pleczar to break the streak with the first goal of the second frame; 6-1 (14:06). Unfortunately, the tally was followed by three-goal run that distanced the Blazers for a 9-1 (11:13) advantage before Hoats scored her first goal with 10 minutes til halftime, 9-2 (10:02). Three more Hood College goals gave the Blazers a 12-2 halftime lead. Gwynedd Mercy University outscored 7-6 in the second half, but never got closer that the final nine-goal spread as Varilla marked her second score with no time remaining on the game clock; 18-9 (0:00).

Senior defender Seydel Acuna (Philadelphia, Pa.) (16-6, 10:35, 4QTR) and freshman attack Alysia Collins (Royersford, Pa.) (15-4, 1:24, 3QTR) were responsible for the other two Griffin goals. Acuna also provided a ground ball recovery, while Collins added a ground ball and a caused turnover to her score. Freshman defender Cheyenne Avellino (Egg Harbor, N.J.) was a factor with three ground balls and three caused turnovers. In goal, junior Reilly Owens (Pottstown, Pa.) took the loss (6-3) despite 12 saves, six ground balls, and two caused turnovers.

Gwynedd Mercy University continues their non-conference schedule on Wednesday, March 23, when they visit Arcadia University for a 7:00 p.m. contest.