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 Women's Soccer Championship Tournament. A 4-3 league record earns Gwynedd Mercy University the #4 seed in the postseason bracket as well as home field advantage for a 12:00 p.m. First Round contest versus #5 Centenary University (N.J.) on Saturday, October 31.

CHAMPIONSHIP CENTRAL
 
Opposite the Griffins and Cyclones, #3 Pratt Institute hosts #6 Saint Elizabeth University for a 9:30 a.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 4:00 p.m. semifinal. The 2026 AEC Women'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 scoring a 5-0 home win on October 7 and a 3-2 road win on October 28. The Griffins delivered an impressive offensive performance in the first meeting as they scored four second-half goals en route to a commanding 5-0 victory. Senior midfielder Rebecca Gordon (Sicklerville, N.J.) led the Griffins with two goals (56:16, 73:08), while freshman forward LaNya Bracero (Palymra, N.J.) (13:29), junior midfielder Anna Nicosia (Columbus, N.J.) (61;49), and freshman defender Sarah O'Neil (Philadelphia, Pa.) (78:58) each found the back of the net. Sophomore goalkeeper Zoe Davis (Riverside, N.J.) recorded three saves to secure the shutout.
 
In the regular season finale, sophomore defender Addyson Sparks (Philadelphia, Pa.) served as the Red and Gold's star with the first (1-0, 1:07) and last (3-2, 72:00) goals of an eventual 3-2 victory. Junior midfielder Casey Thomas (Philadelphia, Pa.) added a first-half goal (2-1, 29:45), while senior defender Jessica Parker (Philadelphia, Pa.) contributed assists on the first two Griffin goals and junior midfielder Samantha Winco (Chalfont, Pa.) assisted on the game winner. The Griffins dominated the ball throughout the contest with three corner kick opportunities and a 26-8 shot advantage over the Cyclones 26-8. Davis made five saves in the win.

Statistically, Gwynedd Mercy University has been led by Gordon (18 games played – 18 games started), who has pieced together a tremendous senior season with a career-high, and team-high, 17 points (8 goals, 1 assist). She has scored eight goals on 44 shots including game-winners in Griffin victories over Saint Elizabeth University (W, 7-0 (71:00) on Oct. 17) and Pratt Institute (W, 1-0 on Oct. 24). The latter of the two tallies scored Gordon her third of three AEC Women's Soccer Weekly Honor Roll mentions; she earned earlier recognition on October 12 and October 21. Cannon (18gp-18gs) and Parker (18gp-18gs) have been the playmakers during the regular season with four assists apiece. The former also took 25 shots and recorded a goal (6-0, 22:29) in the lopsided win over the Eagles. Nicosia (14gp-14gs) and Davis (18gp-18gs) swept the AEC Weekly Awards on the initial report of the season (Sept. 8). The latter also earned a Weekly Honor Roll mention on October 12 and a second Defensive Player of the Week award on October 26, after making 11 saves – including a penalty-kick stop that preserved the Griffins' lead in a 1-0 victory over the Cannoneers – in a 1-1 week versus #18 Swarthmore College (L, 1-6 on Oct. 21) and league rivals, Pratt Institute. Davis currently stands at 6-12 with four shutouts; she owns a 2.50 goals-against average (GAA) and a .713 save percentage (SV%) with 39 goals allowed and 97 saves in 1,405:32 minutes.
 
2026 AEC WOMEN'S SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIP SEEDING & TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
 

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

FIRST ROUND: Saturday, October 31st
#6 Saint Elizabeth University @ #3 Pratt Institute, 9:30 a.m.
#5 Centenary University (N.J.) @ #4 Gwynedd Mercy University, 12:00 p.m.
 
SEMIFINALS: Wednesday, November 4th
Lowest remaining seed @ #1 Marymount University, TBA
Higher remaining seed  @ #2 Immaculata University, 4:00 p.m.
 
CHAMPIONSHIP: Saturday, November 7th
Semifinal winners @ the home of the highest remaining seed.