Gwynedd Valley, Pa. - (4/24/2024) - Gwynedd Mercy University (1-13, 1-5) shined under the lights in tonight's Atlantic East Conference (AEC) finale versus Centenary University (NJ) (3-10, 0-6), as the Griffins honored fourth signature seniors  - attack Lindsay Anderson (Merchantville, N.J.), attack Caroline Cleary (Chalfont, Pa.), defender Grace Cooney (Doylestown, Pa.), attack Kristin Varilla (Lansdale, Pa.) - prior to defeating the Cyclones, 21-8 for the final seed in the upcoming AEC Women's Lacrosse Championship Tournament. Varilla etched herself further into the Red and Gold's record books as she surpassed 200 career points with her seventh point (14-4, 4:10 2QTR) in a nine-point performance that included a season-high seven goals and came with five ground balls, four draw controls, and a caused turnover. Cleary was equally impressive with six assists in a seven-point effort that came with six draw controls, two ground balls, and a caused turnover.

Griffin Highlights

• Gwynedd Mercy University picked up steam as the contest moved along. A statement 10-1 second quarter triggered the running clock and distanced the Griffins for a 14-5 halftime lead.
• The second half clock ran continuously for nearly the duration as the Griffins made the difference 13 goals (18-5) by the end of the third quarter and matched Centenary University goal-for-goal in the final frame.
• The Griffins outshot the Cyclones 43-24 and they were successful on 16-of-21 (.762) on their clear attempts. They also topped Centenary University in draw controls 22-10 and scored on 5-of-10 (.500) free position shots, while recovering 29 ground balls.
• In addition to Varilla and Cleary, four other Griffins recorded multiple points in the victory. Freshman midfielder Rebecca Gordon (Sicklerville, N.J.) totaled a season-high six points with four goals and two assists; she also recorded three ground balls and four draw controls. Junior midfielder Cheynne Avellino (Egg Harbor Township, N.J.) finished with four points (3 goals, 1 assist), one ground ball, two caused turnovers, and seven draw controls. Anderson (3 goals) and junior attack Hailey Bloom (Margate City, N.J.) (2) were the other two.
• Freshmen goalkeepers Nikki Williams (Cinnaminson, N.J.) and Victoria Sloan (Philadelphia, Pa.) both saw time in net. The former earned the win (1-5) with seven saves, a ground ball, and a caused turnover in the first three quarters (45:00). The latter made one save in the fourth quarter (15:00).

As the #6 seed in the 2024 AEC Women's Lacrosse Championship Tournament, Gwynedd Mercy University will visit #3 Marywood University on Saturday, April 27, for a 1:00 p.m. First Round contest.