Gwynedd Valley, Pa. - (9/22/2022) - A determined Griffin effort was rewarded today as Gwynedd Mercy University wore down a 2-0 Wilson College lead with a play from freshman forward Connor Bilotta (Runnemede, N.J.) to freshman midfielder Josh Rossell (Mount Ephraim, N.J.) down the near sideline in the 65th minute (2-1, 64:29) and an astonishing last-second header from sophomore forward/goalkeeper Shaine Kirby (Newtown, Pa.); 2-2  (89:44). Bilotta assisted on that score too, saving a restart from senior forward Evan Kirby (Bensalem, Pa.) to center pitch for Kirby's fortuitous dive.
Gwynedd Mercy University (1-6-1) controlled the contest from the opening kickoff and out shot Wilson College (0-3-3) 14-9 in the opening half. But unfortunate fouls allowed freshman midfielder Aiden Diem (Baltimore, Md.) to give the Phoenix a 2-0 lead with a restart through the Griffin defense in the 21st minute (1-0, 20:15) and a penalty kick midway through the 26th minute (2-0, 25:40). Gwynedd Mercy University continued to pressure Wilson College in the second half. Their persistence paid off when Bilotta played an early advance down the near side for a center-dribble and shoot from Rossell; 2-1 (64:29). After senior defenseman Kevin Hanuscin (Langhorne, Pa.) put several restarts on net and a series of Griffin corner kicks (87:55, 88:29, 88:50), Kirby's soaring head met Bilotta's well-placed foot.

Kirby started the game in goal and made two saves in the first half. He was relieved by senior John Wagner (Phoenixville, Pa.) (0-6-1), who made serval acrobatic stops in a five-save second half that aided the Gwynedd Mercy University resurgence. Evan Kirby totaled a team-high six shots in addition to his assist; Hanuscin totaled five shots and Rossell four more. Six others - including Bilotta (1) and Kirby (1) - took at least one strike in a season-high 27-shot effort.

Gwynedd Mercy University continues their non-conference schedule on Saturday, September 24, when they visit DeSales University for a 2:00 p.m. kickoff.