Lancaster, Pa. – (10/29/2026) – With the conclusion of last night's regular season finales, Atlantic East Conference (AEC) Commissioner Rebecca Mullin officially released the seeding and competition schedule for the 2026 AEC Men's Soccer Championship Tournament. A 2-4-1 league record earns Gwynedd Mercy University the #4 seed in the postseason bracket as well as home field advantage for a 3:00 p.m. First Round contest versus #5 Centenary University (N.J.) on Saturday, October 31.

CHAMPIONSHIP CENTRAL
 
Opposite the Griffins and Cyclones, #3 Saint Elizabeth University hosts #6 Pratt Institute for a 3:00 p.m. First Round contest on Halloween. Following the conclusion of those contests, the lowest remaining seed will visit #1 Marymount University for an AEC Semifinal on Wednesday, November 4; meanwhile, the higher remaining seed travels to #2 Immaculata University for a 7:00 p.m. semifinal. The 2026 AEC Men's Soccer Championship is scheduled to take place at the home of the highest remaining seed on Saturday, November 7.
 
Gwynedd Mercy University and Centenary University (N.J.) met twice this season with the Griffins earning the postseason home field advantage with a 1-0 win in the regular season finale (Oct. 28). Senior midfielder Luke O'Donnell (Glenside, Pa.) converted a penalty kick in the 65th minute (1-0, 64:01) as the game's only goal, while junior goalkeeper Cody Sell (Souderton, Pa.) and the Red and Gold defense limited the Cyclones to just six shots. The Griffins controlled the tempo throughout, generating seven corner kicks and 29 shots. In addition to O'Donnell's 11, multiple Griffins offered several attempts, including five from freshman defender Cillian Berkery (Philadelphia, Pa.) and four from junior midfielder Gunnar Christensen (Finksburg, Md.).
 
Earlier in the season, Gwynedd Mercy University used a first-half O'Donnell goal (1-0, 29:54) and a five-save performance from Sell to earn a 1-1 draw (Oct. 7) at Centenary University (N.J.). The Griffins built pressure midway through the opening period with back-to-back attempts from O'Donnell (23:06) and sophomore midfielder Connor Piffath (Forest Hill, Md.) (23:22) and another shot from freshman midfielder Ryan Polumbo (Morrisville, Pa.) (29:49) allowed junior defender Adam Leal (Jessup, Md.) the chance to fins O'Donnell for the first goal of his senior season. The Griffins controlled much of the second-half, outshooting the Cyclones 12-7 to finish the game with a 20-19 shot advantage.
 
Statistically, Christensen (18 games-played – 16 games started) leads Gwynedd Mercy University with 13 points (5 goals, 3 assists) and 49 shots. He recorded the game-winning goal in a 1-0 victory over Keystone College (Sept. 4) and earned AEC Men's Soccer Weekly Honor Roll recognition on September 8 and October 7. Meanwhile, O'Donnell (8gp-7gs) has totaled nine points (3, 3) and 47 shots in just eight games. His game-winner against the Cyclones in the regular season finale cemented the Griffins as the #4 seed for the upcoming postseason. Sell (12gp-12gs) currently stands at 3-7-2 with two shutouts; he owns a 1.83 goals-against average (GAA) and a .722 save percentage (SV%) with 20 goals allowed and 52 saves in 983:00 minutes.
 
2026 AEC MEN'S SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIP SEEDING & TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
 

FINAL STANDINGS	AEC RECORD
#1 Marymount University	7-0
#2 Immaculata University	5-2
#3 Saint Elizabeth University	4-3
#4 Gwynedd Mercy University	2-4-1
#5 Centenary University (N.J.)	1-5-1
#6 Pratt Institute	1-6

FIRST ROUND: Saturday, October 31st
#6  Pratt Institute @ #3 Saint Elizabeth University, 3:00 p.m.
#5 Centenary University (N.J.) @ #4 Gwynedd Mercy University, 3:00 p.m.
 
SEMIFINALS: Wednesday, November 4th
Lowest remaining seed @ #1 Marymount University, TBA
Higher remaining seed  @ #2 Immaculata University, 7:00 p.m.
 
CHAMPIONSHIP: Saturday, November 7th
Semifinal winners @ the home of the highest remaining seed.