Gwynedd Valley, Pa. – (2/14/2024) – "We have developed a strong team culture and the ladies have been focused on maintaining accountability for themselves and their teammates," said Gwynedd Mercy University Head Women's Lacrosse Coach Meghan Sacks. She continued, "Our leadership has been outstanding all year. Our motto has been "Progress, Not Perfection" as we focus on hard work and execution. Technically, our speed and flexibility will help us succeed on the field."  
 
Gwynedd Mercy University opened their 2023 season with a home win over King's College (Pa.) (W, 9-7 on Feb. 18) and finished February with a 2-1 record before concluding the year with a 4-6 non-conference mark and 1-5 standing in Atlantic East Conference (AEC) play. The journey to 5-11 was highlighted by career milestones and capped with a #6 seed in the 2023 AEC Women's Lacrosse Championship Tournament. Now under the direction of first-year Head Coach Meghan Sacks, the Griffins look to their returning All-AEC Second Team performer  - senior captain Kristin Varilla (Lansdale, Pa.)  - and a solid foundation of veterans to lead the 2024 campaign.
 
Varilla is joined on the Gwynedd Mercy University frontline by fellow seniors Lindsay Anderson (Merchanville, N.J.) and Caroline Cleary (Chalfont, Pa.), as well as junior Hailey Bloom (Margate City, N.J.), sophomore Brianna Godwin (Telford, Pa.), and freshman Gianna Papa (Stratford, N.J.). Varilla headlined the Gwynedd Mercy University offense and earned her second straight All-AEC Second Team laurel with team-highs in goals (59), assists (16), points (75), and shots (131). The two-year captain ranked among the AEC Top-10 for goals (4th), goals per game (4th, 3.47), points (5th), points per game (4th, 4.41), shots (5th), and shots per game (3rd, 7.71). Bloom (36 points; 26 goals, 10 assists) recorded over 30 points in her sophomore season while Cleary recorded a dozen (12) points (6 goals, 6 assists) in her first season in the Red and Gold. Coach Sacks commented, "Godwin is a key for our team energy; she is always willing to do whatever she can for the growth of herself and the team. Papa is a great addition to the unit as well with a strong shot and ability to make plays."

The Griffins' midfield leadership stems from junior captain Cheyenne Avellino (Egg Harbor Township, N.J.), who is joined on the unit by fellow junior Alysia Collins (Royersford, Pa.), and freshman Rebecca Gordon (Sicklerville, N.J.). Avellino finished 2023 with 17 points (13 goals, 4 assists), 26 groundballs, 14 caused turnovers, and 30 draw controls, while Collins totaled 39 points (26 goals, 13 assists), 34 ground balls, 12 caused turnovers, and 25 draw controls from the attack. Gordon, who impressed Coach Sacks during the preseason, will serve as Gwynedd Mercy University's primary draw personnel. "Gordon had a great preseason on both sides of the ball and we are excited to see her in the circle throughout the season. I am confident that Avellino and Collins will continue to provide the midfield leadership that this team will need to be successful.
 
The Red and Gold's depth lies in a defensive unit that includes senior captain Grace Cooney (Doylestown, Pa.), junior Maddie Jeter (Bensalem, Pa.), sophomores Ayana Lyons (Norristown, Pa.) and Devyn Becker (Elizabethtown, Pa.), as well as freshmen Ava DeMarco (Wollwich Township, N.J.) and Teagan O'Neill (Pennsauken, N.J.). "Cooney and Becker have been strongholds on defense, while Jeter and Lyons will likely see time in the midfield as well. Either way, this group is very important to our success," said Coach Sacks. She added, "DeMarco and O'Neill's demeanor and skill-levels are far beyond their years. They take a very veteran approach to the game." Cooney, who takes on captain duties in 2024, started in all 35 of her games in the Red and Gold; she finished 2023 a goal, 19 ground balls, and 14 caused turnovers.
 
With the graduation of Riley Owens '23, the Griffins will rely on a strong freshman goalkeeping pair in Victoria Sloan (Philadelphia, Pa.) and Nikki Williams (Cinnaminson, N.J.). The former recorded 91 saves with a 3.05 goals-against average (GAA) and .665 save percentage as the starting goalkeeper for the Gwynedd Mercy University field hockey team.
 
"Team, grit, and heart," asserted Coach Sacks. "This is a team sport and it is important we treat it as such. We need to support each other in order to produce optimal results. We need to outwork our opponents because if skill cannot not win, spirit will overcome."  
 
Gwynedd Mercy University opens the 2024 season on Wednesday, February 21, when they travel to King's College (PA) for a 4:00 p.m. contest.