Lancaster, Pa. – (10/26/2023) – With the conclusion of last night's league contests, Commissioner Jessica Huntley is pleased to announce the seeding for the 2023 Atlantic East Conference (AEC) Field Hockey Championship Tournament. A perfect 6-0 league record earns St. Mary's College (MD) the top seed in the field for the third straight postseason. Meanwhile, Gwynedd Mercy University earned the sixth seed with their 3-1, October-4 win at Manhattanville College.
 
Between the Seahawks and Griffins, the remainder of the 2023 AEC Field Hockey Championship Tournament field includes #2 Marywood University (5-1 AEC), #3 Immaculata University (4-2), #4 Cabrini University (3-3), and #5 Neumann University (2-4). Manhattanville College was eliminated from postseason play with a 0-6 conference record. As the top two seeds, St. Mary's College and Marywood University receive a bye through the First Round, which will take place on Saturday, October 28. The AEC First Round schedule sends #6 Gwynedd Mercy University to #3 Immaculata University, while #5 Neumann University visits #4 Cabrini University; both quarterfinal contests are scheduled for noon (12:00 p.m.) starts.
 
2-14 overall, Gwynedd Mercy University was led by junior midfielder Laura Filchner (Bath, Pa.), sophomore forward Mackenzie Reed (Philadelphia, Pa.), and the goalkeeping of freshman Nikki Williams (Cinnaminson, N.J.). Filchner and Reed currently have 11 points apiece with five goals and an assist each. Filchner provided key plays throughout the season, including the game-winning goal versus the Valiants. Meanwhile, Reed was the Griffins' primary shooter with a team-high 40 shots in 14 games played. Williams ranked second in the AEC for saves (88) thanks to her .657 save percentage and a 3.10 goals-against average (GAA). In front of Williams, sophomore defender Abby LePage (Cinnaminson, N.J.) (4) and freshman defender Morgan Hoban (Cinnaminson, N.J.) (2) headlined the Griffin backfield with six defensive saves between them.

Gwynedd Mercy University and Immaculata University went to double overtime in their regular-season meeting with the Mighty Macs netting the game-winning goal in the 76^th minute (75:47). After being first on the scoreboard, The Griffins evened the AEC contest on an early fourth-quarter connection between freshman midfielder Lillie Uttenriether (Bel Air, Md.) and Filchner (2-2, 50:19). Following a scoreless first overtime, Immaculata University escaped Gwynedd Mercy University's grasp with a 75:47 tip-in at the goal's mouth.
 
The complete field and schedule for the 2023 AEC Field Hockey Championship Tournament is provided below.
 
2023 Atlantic East Conference (AEC) Field Hockey
Championship Tournament Seeding and Schedule
 

RANK.SCHOOL	AEC	OVERALL
1. St. Mary's College (MD)	6-0	10-5
2. Marywood University	5-1	14-4
3. Immaculata University	4-2	7-9
4. Cabrini University	3-3	8-8
5. Neumann University	2-4	5-11
6. Gwynedd Mercy University	1-5	2-14

FIRST ROUND – SATURDAY, OCTOBER 28^th
#6 Gwynedd Mercy University @ #3 Immaculata University – 12:00 p.m.
#5 Neumann University @ #4 Cabrini University – 12:00 p.m.
 
SEMIFINALS – WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 1^st
#1 St. Mary's College (MD) vs. lowest remaining seed.
#2 Marywood University vs. second-lowest remaining seed.
 
CHAMPIONSHIP – SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 4^th
Winners of semifinals @ the highest remaining seed.