Gwynedd Valley, Pa. – (8/28/2023) – "Our expectation is to win every day," issued first-year Head Coach Alexa Ostoich. "When we're on the field, we are only focused on field hockey. We want to be positive, versatile, and work hard. Our dedication and willingness to learn will directly effect our skill level and our success in competition." Ostoich comes to Gwynedd Mercy University after previous assistant coaching positions with  National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I members the University of Richmond (2022) and Bucknell University (Spring 2021), where she and the 2021 NFHCA Mideast Coaching Staff of the Year led the Bisons to their first Patriot League Championship title and an NCAA Elite 8 appearance following their 2-1 (2OT) victory over Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU).
 
In 2022, Gwynedd Mercy University earned the right to host their second straight Atlantic East Conference (AEC) postseason game as league wins over Immaculata University (W, 2-1 on Oct. 19), Neumann University (W, 5-0 on Oct. 22), and Manhattanville College (W, 6-0 on Oct. 25) earned the Griffins the #4 seed for the AEC Field Hockey Championship Tournament. The Griffins and Mighty Macs battled through four scoreless frames and two scoreless overtime periods before deciding the postseason contest by a 4-3 shootout final. Unfortunately, Immaculata University advanced to the AEC Semifinals, ending Gwynedd Mercy University's season with a 7-10 overall mark and a 3-3 league standing. Three Griffins were selected to the 2022 All-AEC Field Hockey Team in junior midfielder Cheyenne Avellino (Egg Harbor Township, N.J.) earned Second Team honors in addition to First Team laurels for Kaci Murray '22 and Alexis Schambers '22. Captained by Avellino and midfielder/defense Laura Filchner (Bath, Pa.), an experienced Gwynedd Mercy University roster welcomes eight newcomers for the 2023 campaign.
 
Murray – a two-time National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) Division III All-Region IV Second Team honoree (2021, 2022) – will bring her leadership to the sidelines as she joins Ostrich's staff as an assistant this fall. Avellino and Filchner will look to fill the void left by Murray, Schambers, Victoria Poust '23, Caitlyn Thornton '23, and Haley Didinger '23 and help provide direction to the next generation of Griffins. "Cheyenne is a wealth of positive energy. Her enthusiasm is infectious and she is a great leader," reported Coach Ostoich. "She has a presence with the ball and she shows great confidence in our offense. I look forward to seeing her numbers at the end of the season." Avellino took on a larger role in the 2022 offensive game plan, totaling 22 points (9 goals, 4 assists) en route to her All-AEC Second Team selection. Ostoich similarly praised Filchner who has started all 35 games that she has donned the Red and Gold and has demonstrated the ability to rise above the moment with both Griffin goals (34:22, 47:05) in the 2021 AEC Quarterfinal victory over #6 Neumann University (Oct. 30, 2021) and a successful stroke-off score in the 2022 AEC Quarterfinal loss to Immaculata University. "Laura's dedication and hard work is unmatched. Her ability to move the ball is a game changer for us."
 
Avellino will find help on the Gwynedd Mercy University frontline from fellow forwards, senior Olivia Headley (Langhorne, Pa.), junior Ashley Berry (Philadelphia, Pa.), and sophomore Mackenzie Reed (Philadelphia, Pa.) as well as offensive-minded midfielders junior Amber Sims (Perkasie, Pa.) and freshman Sarah Lindsay (Telford, Pa.). "Olivia's hard work and attitude are great to have in a senior. She sets a wonderful example for our underclassman," stated Coach Ostoich. "Amber and Mackenzie are key pieces to our game plan as well. We'll be counting on them to make up for the offense the roster lost and I believe they can do the job." Sims finished last year second in goals (8) and third in points (16), while Reed netted three tallies (6 points) in her rookie season.
 
Like Avellino, Filchner is well-supported in the Griffin backfield with the presence of defensive-minded midfielders; junior Maddie Jeter (Bensalem, Pa.), freshman Hailey Crosby (Afton, N.Y.), and freshman Morgan Hoban (Cinnaminson, N.J.), as well as sophomore Emma Dodd (Philadelphia, Pa.), her classmate Abby LePage (Cinnaminson, N.J.), and freshman Taylor Reynolds (Philadelphia, Pa.). Jeter is a two-year member of the Gwynedd Mercy University women's lacrosse team, while LePage started all 17 games of the rookie season. "Hailey and Morgan have impressed early," identified Coach Ostoich. "Crosby has great field hockey IQ and Hoban is competitive and not easily discouraged. She has a real grit to her and we definitely like that." Gwynedd Mercy University finished third in the AEC for opponent scoring average (1.59) last season and will look improve their standing in the months to come.
 
Rounding out the 2023 roster are goalkeepers; junior Morgan Lawless (Bristol, Pa.) and freshman Nikki Williams (Cinnaminson, N.J.). Lawless has been the regular starter for the last two seasons with 37 starts in 37 games. She finished her sophomore season with 59 saves on a 1.56 goals-against average (GAA) and a .686 save percentage. "We expect continued greatness from Morgan. But we also know that Nikki is an asset as well," said Coach Ostoich. "We love her energy and how aggressive and mobile she is in front of the cage."
 
"We want to finish above .500 and return to the conference tournament," commented Coach Ostoich. "We will do that by showing up each day, working together, and focusing during those big moments that will determine our success this season." 
 
The Gwynedd Mercy University field hockey season begins on Friday, September 1, when the team welcomes Misericordia University to the Athletic Complex for a 4:00 p.m. contest.