Gwynedd Valley, Pa. – (8/28/2025) – "The AEC (Atlantic East Conference) is a tough conference, but that is why I love competing in it," opened Gwynedd Mercy University Head Women's Soccer Coach Michael Nelms. "We have shown great improvement over the last two seasons, but now we have a roster full of soccer players. We want double-digit wins and we want at least three conference wins. It's a tall order for sure, but I think we have a team that can do it." In 2024, a maturing roster celebrated league wins over Pratt Institute (W, 3-2 on Oct. 9) and Centenary University (N.J.) (W, 4-3 on Oct. 30) as their last two victories of the season. Gwynedd Mercy University totaled six wins (6-10-2, 2-4) en route to the #5 seed in the 2024 Atlantic East Conference (AEC) Women's Soccer Championship Tournament. There, a 2-1 double overtime tally marked the end of the Griffins' campaign; junior forward Natalie Morris (Boyertown, Pa.) recorded the only Red and Gold goal (1-0, 8:46). She and Bethany Beinlich '25 garnered All-AEC honors; the former earned First Team honors with a career-highs in points (23), goals (10), and assists (3), while the latter garnered Second Team honors with AEC Top-10 numbers in game-winning goals (T2nd, 3), assists (T8th, 5), and shots (10th, 47).
 
As the top returning producer from 2024, Morris will look to a stable of experienced Griffins for support. Joining Morris in the 2025 Senior Class are goalkeepers; Natalie Gablein (Philadelphia, Pa.) and Madisson Ronn (Warrington, Pa.), as well as defender/midfielder Kyra Malloy (Limerick, Pa.), and Bryn Athyn College transfer Kira Bradley (Langhorne, Pa.). "Our goalkeepers are our leaders on and off the field," said Coach Nelms. "Bradley is fun to watch. She had great success at Bryn Athyn and we're excited to see what she can do for Gwynedd Mercy." Gablein played a majority of the goalkeeping minutes in 2024 (961:39) and totaled 92 saves with .800 save percentage (SV%) and a 2.15 goals-against average (GAA). Meanwhile, Ronn (495:00 minutes) owned a 2-3 record with 51 saves on a .797 SV% and a 2.36 GAA. Bradley was a 2024 All-United East Second Team performer at Bryn Athyn College, where she led a 7-9-1 (3-4-1) Lions team in goals (16), assists (5), points (37), shots (102), game-winning goals (4).

"We have a great group of experienced juniors, who will be the engine of our team," transitioned Coach Nelms. "Ladies like (defender/midfielder) Elena DiPrinzio (Warrington, Pa.), (defender/midfielder) Rebecca Gordon (Sicklerville, N.J.), and (defender) Jessica Parker (Philadelphia, Pa.) will anchor our defense, while (midfielder) Bridget Cannon (Bensalem, Pa.) and (forward) Demmi Fox (Huntingdon Valley, Pa.) are proven playmakers upfront." DiPrinzio and Gordon demonstrated the ability to factor into the offense as well in 2024; the former totaled four points (1 goal, 2 assists) and took 15 shots, while the latter totaled nine points (2, 5) and took 44 shots. Cannon and Fox both recorded double-digit points in their sophomore seasons. Cannon totaled 12 points (4, 4) and was successful on all four of her penalty kick opportunities (4-of-4), while Fox finished with 11 points (4, 3) after mid-season shift from defense to forward.
 
The Gwynedd Mercy University underclassmen include sophomores; midfielder Olivia Crawford (Rockledge, Pa.), defender/midfielder Paige Fienman (Philadelphia, Pa.), midfielder Casey Thomas (Philadelphia, Pa.), defender/midfielder Samantha Winco (Chalfont, Pa.), defender/midfielder Breana Salvatore (Sicklerville, N.J.), as well as three transfers; defender Arianna Catanzariti (Blackwood, N.J./Rosemont College), midfielder Anna Nicosia (Columbus, N.J./Rosemont College), and defender Jessica Villada Velazquez (Warminster, Pa./Bryn Athyn College). "Our transfers add experienced depth to a class that is already starting to earn minutes in our gameplan," mentioned Coach Nelms. "We are looking for some big contributions from this group." Nicosia totaled five points (2, 1) for Rosemont College in 2024, while Fienman impressed in her Griffin debut season with a pair of assists (2 points).
 
The Red and Gold's 2025 freshman class includes three defenders; Courtney Bowles (Fleetwood, Pa.), Addyson Sparks (Philadelphia, Pa.), and Madelon Senior (Warminster, Pa.), three midfielders; Cecelia Felmey (Warminster, Pa.), Riley Holton (Warminster, Pa.), Samantha Whelan (Birdsboro, Pa.), a pair of goalkeepers; Zoe Davis (Riverside, N.J.) and Chloe Pennings (Williamsport, Pa.), as well as forward Drew Bark (Philadelphia, Pa.). "Sparks and Bark will contribute immediately," identified Coach Nelms. "Sparks bolsters our talent pool on defense and Bark is an outstanding striker. Overall, this freshman class brings some really nice additions to our team."
 
"We want to be known for our dedication, passion, and grit," stated Coach Nelms. "We are still young, there will be mistakes, but we must learn from them. We have love for the game and that's a great thing to have. I am truly blessed to be leading this group and I want to thank my tremendous assistants – Dennis, Meghan, Ashley, and Bri – for all they bring to this program. Go Griffins!"
 
The 2025 Gwynedd Mercy University women's soccer season begins on Friday, August 29, when the Griffins travel to the University of Valley Forge for a 4:00 p.m. contest.