Gwynedd Valley, Pa. – (8/30/2022) – "Competitive, composed, and connected," simply put Gwynedd Mercy University Head Field Hockey Coach Alex Calder. "These are our program pillars. They are what we build upon. With a strong defense we made great strides last year and we hope to do the same this year with some calculated risk on offense."
 
In 2021, a month of perseverance laid the groundwork for Gwynedd Mercy University's postseason push as October wins over Arcadia University (W, 2-1 on Oct. 6), Immaculata University (W, 1-0 on Oct. 9), Marywood University (W, 3-2 on Oct. 12), and Neumann University (W, 2-0 on Oct. 20) earned the Griffins the #3 seed in the 2021 AEC Field Hockey Championship Tournament and a home quarterfinal versus the sixth-seeded Knights. Sophomore midfielder Laura Filchner (Bath, Pa.) picked the perfect time for her first two collegiate goals as her second-half tallies (34:22, 47:05) propelled Gwynedd Mercy University to a 2-0 victory over Neumann University (Oct. 30). Unfortunately, the Griffins' postseason run came to a close with a 2-0 semifinal loss to eventual league champion, Cabrini University (Nov. 3).
 
Lauren Jani '22 led the Griffins in goals (6), assists (4), points (16), shots (32), and game winning goals (3) a year ago. In 2022, Coach Calder will look to forwards and offensive midfielders - graduate Caitlyn Thornton (Ivyland, Pa.), senior Victoria Poust (Warminster, Pa.), junior Olivia Headley (Langhorne, Pa.), sophomores; Cheyenne Avellino (Egg Harbor Township, N.J.), Ashley Berry (Philadelphia, Pa.), and Amber Sims (Perkasie, Pa.), and freshmen Mackenzie Reed (Philadelphia, Pa.) and Aditi Shah (Harleysville, Pa.) – to pick up the scoring slack. Thornton (15gp-13gs), Poust (20gp-20gs), Avellino (20gp-15gs), and Sims (20gp-16gs) were regular starters last year; Avellino led the group with five points (2 goals, 1 assist). Newcomer, Shah possess great stick work and drive. "Aditi is a strong addition to our team," endorsed Coach Calder. "She will continue to establish our competitive culture and will be a stone we build on in the seasons to come."

The strong defense that set the tone last season will be asked to do the same in 2022. Headlining the unit is graduate captain Kaci Murray (Chalfont, Pa.), who earned All-AEC First Team and National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) All-Region IV Second Team recognition with five points (1 goal, 3 assists) and a single-season record of 10 defensive saves. She is supported by Filchner and senior Alexis Schambers (West Chester, Pa.) as well as freshmen Emma Dodd (Philadelphia, Pa.) and Abby LePage (Cinnaminson, N.J.). The five will protect sophomore goalkeeper Morgan Lawless (Bristol, Pa.), who offered a brilliant rookie season with a 6-14 record, three shutouts, and 97 saves on a 3.01 goals against average (GAA) and a .614 save percentage.
 
"There are some teams we are looking to get revenge on, but our goal is to break .500 and finish in the top three of the AEC," issued Coach Calder. She concluded emphatically, "Roll Griffs!"
 
The Gwynedd Mercy University field hockey season begins on Thursday, September 1, when the Griffins visit Misericordia University for a 7:00 p.m. contest.