Gwynedd Valley, Pa. – (11/24/2025) – Predicted to finish as the final qualifying team for the 2025 Atlantic East Conference (AEC) Women's Soccer Championship Tournament, Gwynedd Mercy University did just that with their 11-9-1 overall record and a 3-4 mark in conference play. What the preseason poll could not predict was the determination of the Red and Gold, whose grit and resilience propelled the Griffins past a 4-2 AEC First Round win over #4 Pratt Institute (Nov. 1) and a 1-0 AEC Semifinal victory over #1 Marywood University (Nov. 4), to their first league final since an appearance in the 2015 Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) Championship (L, 0-1 @ #1 Cabrini College on Nov. 7). Unfortunately, Gwynedd Mercy University fell just shy of hoisting their first AEC Championship as 2024 AEC Runner-Up, Marymount University (L, 0-4 on Nov. 8) succeeded in their second league championship in the last three seasons.
 
Gwynedd Mercy University midfielders, senior Kira Bradley (Langhorne, Pa.) and junior Rebecca Gordon (Sicklerville, N.J.) represented the Red and Gold on the 2025 All-AEC Women's Soccer Team. The former was the Griffins unstoppable force as the Bryn Athyn transfer earned All-AEC First Team honors and headlined Gwynedd Mercy University individual statistics with team-highs in goals (19), assists (5), points (43), shots (80), and game-winning goals (4 GWG). Meanwhile, the latter was one of several playmakers who facilitated Bradley's impressive season as she matched career-highs in both goals (4) and assists (5) in a career-best 13-point season.
 
Gwynedd Mercy University started the year on a high note as junior midfielder Bridget Cannon (Bensalem, Pa.) (1-0, 0:34), sophomore midfielder Olivia Crawford (Rockledge, Pa.) (2-0, 29:03), Gordon (3-0, 47:09), and Bradley (4-0, 58:11) all found the back of the goal in a 4-0 season-opener win at the University of Valley Forge (Aug. 29). Gordon, who was one of two Griffins to assist on the Bradley goal, was recognized on the first AEC Women's Soccer Weekly Honor Roll of the season (Sept. 2).

The Red and Gold team effort set the tone for an early non-conference slate that tested their depth and composure. Despite narrow one-goal losses at Wilson College (L, 0-1 on Sept. 1) and Penn State Abington (L, 0-1 on Sept. 3), Gwynedd Mercy University rebounded with a 2-1 win at Penn State Brandywine on September 6. The Griffins had plenty of chances in the early portions of the contest, but was finally broke the Nittany Lion defenses with a Cannon goal in the 37^th minute (1-0, 36:54). After a Penn State game-tying tally in the 74^th minute (1-1, 73:15), sophomore defender Samantha Winco (Chalfont, Pa.) played hero with a successful strike just a little over six minutes left in the contest (2-1, 83:24).             
 
After another pair of close losses – 2-1 versus Lancaster Bible College (Sept. 8) and Ursinus College (Sept. 13), Gwynedd Mercy University found their rhythm with a 4-0 win at Cedar Crest College on September 17 and a 2-1 win versus Cairn University on September 20. A hat trick (8:51, 12:29, 53:59) from freshman forward Drew Bark (Philadelphia, Pa.) headlined the victory over the Falcons and she stayed hot, scoring the first goal (1-0, 18:29) in the triumph over the Highlanders. In between, she her efforts were recognized with an AEC Women's Soccer Player of the Week award (Sept. 22).
 
The Red and Gold hot streak included a 1-1 stalemate versus Penn State Berks (Sept. 24), and high-scoring victories over Albright College (W, 4-0 on Sept. 27), Penn State Schuylkill (W, 6-1 on Oct. 1), and AEC newcomer Saint Elizabeth University (W, 9-1 on Oct. 4). Bradley starred in the wins, garnering an AEC Women's Soccer Weekly Honor Roll mention (Sept. 29) with three shots against Berks and all four Griffin goals (2:35, 18:52, 33:38, 47:07) in the triumph over Albright College. She also fueled Gwynedd Mercy University in the Schuylkill and Saint Elizabeth University triumphs as she scored three times (11:56, 29:00, 30:47) in the 6-1 Nittany Lion pounding and four more goals (8:55, 14:09, 25:54, 46:07) in the 9-1 Eagle drubbing to return to repeat on the AEC Women's Soccer Weekly Honor Roll (Oct. 6).
 
AEC competition was stiff after the win over the Eagles as the Griffins suffered consecutive league losses to Pratt Institute (L, 0-5 on Oct. 8), Marymount University (L, 0-2 on Oct. 11), Neumann University (L, 0-1 on Oct. 18), and Marywood University (L, 0-2 on Oct. 22).
 
With a 1-4 AEC mark, Gwynedd Mercy University showed their determination as a thrilling 1-0 Senior Day victory over Immaculata University (Oct. 25) and a must-have 7-1 regular season finale over Centenary University (N.J.) (Oct. 29) punched the Griffins' postseason ticket. Bradley headlined once again earning the AEC Women's Soccer Player of the Week title (Nov. 3) with a hat trick (11:40, 43:11, 50:02) in the victory over the Cyclones.
 
#5 Gwynedd Mercy University traveled to #4 Pratt Institute for the First Round of the 2025 AEC Women's Soccer Championship Tournament. After trailing early (1-0, 1:19), the Griffins erupted with four second-half goals (58:24, 72:29, 77:48, 86:54); Bradley netted the first and last, while sophomore defender Paige Fienman (Philadelphia, Pa.) (2-2, 72:29) offered the game-tying goal and Bark the go-head goal (3-2, 77:48).
 
Gwynedd Mercy University concentrated on every step and every kick of their championship quest versus Marywood University. An early 42nd-minute connection between Fienman, Bradley, and sophomore midfielder Anna Nicosia (Columbus, N.J.) put all their efforts into place (1-0: 41:01) as the remainder of the affair was a constant battle to keep the Pacers off the scoreboard. Senior goalkeeper Madisson Ronn (Warrington, Pa.) made four second-half saves to preserve the AEC Semifinal win for fellow senior goalkeeper Natalie Gablein (Philadelphia, Pa.) (4-5-1), who stopped three Marywood University shots in the first half.
 
In the 2025 AEC Women's Soccer Championship, Gwynedd Mercy University found themselves outmatched against Marymount University. The Saints held the Red and Gold two just seven shots - four on target – and three corner kicks chances in the 90 minute affair. Gablein (4-6-1, 45:00 minutes played) and Ronn (45:00) combined for six saves, splitting time evenly between halves.
 
Bradley's 19 goals led the AEC, while her four game-winners - against Cairn University (W, 2-1 on Sept. 20), Albright College (W, 4-2 on Sept. 27), Penn State Schuylkill (W, 6-1 on Oct. 1), and Centenary University (N.J.) (W, 7-1 on Oct. 29) - tied her second among her league peers. She also ranked among the AEC Top-10 in assists (5, T7th), shots (T3rd), and points (43, 2nd).
 
Gordon totaled 41 shots and got plenty of help finding Bradley and her fellow Griffins for goals as senior midfielder Natalie Morris (Boyertown, Pa.) (2 assists), Nicosia (4), Cannon (3), Winco (1), Crawford (1), Fienman (2), junior defender Elena DiPrinzio (Warrington, Pa.) (2), junior defender Jessica Parker (Philadelphia, Pa.) (2), sophomore Arianna Catanzariti (Blackwood, N.J.) (1), senior midfielder Krya Malloy (Limerick, Pa.) (1), and freshman defender Addyson Sparks (Philadelphia, Pa.) (1) all recorded at least an assist this season.
 
Morris (10 points; 4 goals, 2 assists), Bark (10; 5, 0), and Nicosia (10; 3, 4) finished the season with 10 points apiece, while Cannon (9; 3, 3), Winco (7: 3, 1), Crawford (5: 2, 1), and Fienman (4: 1, 2) continued their promising collegiate careers with strong seasons.
 
In goal, Gablein (19 games played – 9 games started, 839:53 minutes) and Ronn (20-12, 732:26) split 18 starts. The former was 4-6-1 with 68 saves (118 shots faced) on a .829 save percentage (SV%) and a 1.29 goals-against average (GAA). Meanwhile, the latter finished 7-3 with 51 saves (108 shots faced) on a .773 SV% and a 1.56 GAA.
 
Malloy was the first Griffin – in any sport - to be recognized with the AEC Elite Scholar Award. Formerly known as the AEC Elite 20 Award, the honor was modeled after the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Elite Scholar Athlete Academic Recognition Award Program. The AEC Elite Scholar Athlete award is presented to the student-athlete with the highest cumulative grade point average (GPA) competing at the finals site for each conference-sponsored sport. The senior social work major is the proud owner of a perfect 4.0 GPA.