Gwynedd Valley, Pa. - (3/23/2024) - Gwynedd Mercy University (0-8) stunned the United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) (3-2) in the first quarter of today's rain-soaked affair with a 5-2 head start. Unfortunately, the Mariners found their stride midway through the second quarter as they cut the Griffins lead to a single goal, 11-10 (2:55), by halftime. USMMA separated for a 16-14 (0:03) lead by the end of the third quarter and were unanswered in a 6-0 fourth-quarter spread that left the final in their favor; 22-14 (1:24). Senior attack
Kristin Varilla (Lansdale, Pa.) continued her climb up the Red and Gold's all-time leaderboards with six goals securing her sixth place on the all-time scoring list (6th, 141 goals) and seventh place on the all-time points list (7th, 174 points), but junior midfielder
Cheyenne Avellino (Egg Harbor Township, N.J.) led the Griffins with seven points (6 goals, 1 assist), three draw controls, two ground balls, and four caused turnovers.
Griffin Highlights
- Gwynedd Mercy University out shot USMMA 12-5 in the first quarter and successfully transitioned the ball on all five of their clears (5-for-5, 1.000) to help deliver the 5-2 opening blow.
- In the end, the Griffins were 13-for-19 (.684) on clears. They won 16 draw controls and recovered a dozen (12) ground balls.
- The Red and Gold was also 5-for-8 (.625) on free position attempts. They scored two goals with an extra player and another short a player.
- Varilla added two ground balls, a draw, and a caused turnover. Her first (1-1, 11:23) and last (5-2, 0:38) goals of the first quarter came on the free position; the latter was with an extra player.
- Senior midfielder Caroline Cleary (Chalfont, Pa.) was a key component to Gwynedd Mercy University's gameplan as well. She finished with a goal, six assists, a ground ball, and nine draw controls.
- In goal, freshmen Victoria Sloan (Philadelphia, Pa.) (56:20) and Nikki Williams (Cinnaminson, N.J.) both saw time. The former (0-1) made all 12 of the Griffins' saves in the opening 56:20.
Gwynedd Mercy University returns to action on Wednesday, April 3, when they open their Atlantic East Conference (AEC) schedule with a 4:00 p.m. contest at Cabrini University.
