Gwynedd Valley, Pa. - (2/24/2024) - Gwynedd Mercy University (0-2) welcomed Delaware Valley University (1-0) to the Athletic Complex for today's home opener. A pair of first-quarter goals (5:50, 0:33) from junior midfielder Cheyenne Avellino (Egg Harbor Township, N.J.) gave the Griffins an early 2-1 lead on the Aggies, but a 5-1 second-quarter reversal left the visitors ahead 6-3 at halftime. In the second half, the deficit slipped to five goals, 10-5 (3:12), by the end of the third quarter and there it stayed as a third Avellino score (10-6, 14:06) and the first collegiate goal for freshman attack Gianna Papa (Stratford, N.J.) (12-7, 3:33) matched Delaware University's fourth-quarter scores in a 12-7 conclusion.

Griffin Highlights

• After an initial Delaware Valley University tally (1-0, 12:39), Avellino evened the score with an unassisted goal (1-1, 5:50) and gave Gwynedd Mercy University a 2-1 (0:33) lead late on a player advantage.
• The Griffins outshot the Aggies 6-3 in the the opening frame and controlled the ball well with a pair of draw controls, seven ground balls, and a 5-of-8 (.625) success rate on clears.
• At game's end, the Red and Gold was 13-of-24 (.542) on clears and held advantages in ground balls (24-22) and shots (33-24).
• Avellino added four ground balls, four caused turnovers, and four draw controls to her three goals.
• Senior attack Kristin Varilla (Lansdale, Pa.) contributed two goals, two assists, a ground ball, and a caused turnover to the Gwynedd Mercy University effort.
• Senior midfielder Caroline Cleary (Chalfont, Pa.) played well with a goal, an assist, three ground balls, and three draw controls.
• In goal, freshman Victoria Sloan (Philadelphia, Pa.) (0-2) made one save in the opening 49:43. Her classmate, Nikki Williams (Cinnaminson, N.J.) recorded two saves in the final ten minutes (10:17).

Gwynedd Mercy University returns to the Athletic Complex on Wednesday, February 28, when they host Wilkes University for a 4:00 p.m. contest.