Gwynedd Valley, Pa. – (8/28/2025) – "We want to compete at the highest level, earn a spot in the conference tournament, and continue building our team culture," exclaimed Gwynedd Mercy University Head Coach Alexa Ostoich.
 
In 2024, Coach Ostoich and her staff directed the Griffins to 4-14 overall finish and a 2-2 league mark that garnered them the 2024 Atlantic East Conference (AEC) Field Hockey Coaching Staff of the Year award, as well as earned the Red and Gold the #3 seed for the 2024 AEC Field Hockey Championship Tournament. Unfortunately, a tightly-played AEC Semifinal was decided by a second-quarter score (1-0, 24:34) that advanced #2 Immaculata University to the league championship. Four Griffins earned recognition on the All-AEC roster as First Team recognition for Laura Filchner '25 was accompanied by Second Team honors for Mackenzie Reed (Philadelphia, Pa.), Lillie Uttenreither (Bel Air, Md.), and freshman goalkeeper Kelly Weaver (Flemington, N.J.).
 
"For 2025, we are focusing on improving at both ends of the field. We want to create more scoring opportunities and tighten up our defense. Most importantly, we want to create depth at every position and build an environment where everyone can grow every day and contribute toward our team values," explained Coach Ostoich. Coach Ostoich has identified senior midfielder Emma Dodd (Philadelphia, Pa.), Reed, Uttenreither, and junior goalkeeper Nikki Williams (Cinnaminson, N.J.) as team captains for the 2025 season.
 
Reed garnered an All-AEC Second Team laurel in 2024 and served as one of the team's statistical leaders with career-highs in points (19), goals (9), shots (56), and shots on-goal (34). Meanwhile, Uttenreither garnered a spot on the All-AEC Second Team with five points on a goal and three assists. Dodd recorded all six of her points – and her first three collegiate goals - with a hattrick in the Griffins' 10-0 win at Elmira College (Sept. 7), while Williams missed the 2024 season due to injury.

Additional returnees include seniors; defender Abby LePage (Cinnaminson, N.J.), midfielder Ayana Lyons (Norristown Pa.), juniors; forward/defender Keleigh Clausius (Landenberg, Pa.), defender Morgan Hoban (Cinnaminson, N.J.), forward/midfielder Sarah Lindsay (Telford, Pa.), midfielder Taylor Reynolds (Philadelphia, Pa.), as well as sophomores; midfielder Allyssa Seifert (Philadelphia, Pa.) and goalkeeper Kelly Weaver (Flemington, N.J.)
 
Hoban, LePage, Lyons, and Lindsay should bring experience to the backfield, while Clausius and Weaver were major contributors to Gwynedd Mercy University's 2024 success. Clausius transferred from Alvernia University to serve as a regular starter for the Red and Gold, while
Weaver (12gp-10gs) started a majority of the Red and Gold games in goal. The latter emerged from the bench to finish third in the AEC for saves (3^rd, 64) and fifth in goal-against average (5^th, 2.83 GAA). She finished the year with a 1-9 record and a .681 save percentage (SV%).
 
"Our newcomers are all freshmen," continued Coach Ostoich. "They have done a great job this preseason. As a whole, they have been very consistent and adjust well to the collegiate game. Honestly, their hard work has stood out to our staff." Coach Ostoich's freshmen class includes forward Christine Aemisegger (Ambler, Pa.), midfielder Rylee Baird (Philadelphia, Pa.), midfielder Molly Botthof (Philadelphia, Pa.), midfielder/defender Amanda Minteer (Mechanicsburg, Pa.), midfielder Rhyan Poole (North Wales, Pa.), and forward Gianna Radcliffe (Harleysville, Pa.).
 
"We expect everyone to work hard and come ready to play every day," began Coach Ostoich. "Teamwork, Respect, and Accountability are paramount. "We have a great group of girls and we are very excited to start the 2025 season!"
 
The 2025 Gwynedd Mercy University field hockey season begins on Friday, August 29, when the Griffins host Misericordia University for a 7:00 p.m. contest.