Gwynedd Valley, Pa. – (2/19/2026) – "Our team is focused, motivated, and determined; we know what we can do and we are going to do everything we can to realize our goals," said Gwynedd Mercy University Head Women's Lacrosse Coach Meghan Sacks. "We have more flexibility this year and that should help our transition game. We are fast, but we aren't afraid of contact either. I sincerely believe we has all the components to make for a successful season."
 
In 2025, early league road wins over the Cyclones (W, 15-4 on Apr. 5) and Mighty Macs (W, 17-8 on Apr. 9) were enough to earn Gwynedd Mercy University the #4 seed for the 2025 AEC Women's Lacrosse Championship Tournament. Unfortunately, the Griffins season came to a close in the AEC Semifinals with a 25-7 loss to top-seeded – and eventual league champion – Marymount University. The Red and Gold finished the campaign – their second under Head Coach Meghan Sacks - with a 4-14 overall record and a 2-3 league standing. Four Griffins were recognized on the 2025 All-AEC Women's Lacrosse release as an AEC Rookie of the Year title for freshman midfielder Elena Colliluori (Gilbertsville, Pa.) was complemented by All-AEC Second Team honors for senior midfielder Cheyenne Avellino (Egg Harbor Township, N.J.), sophomore midfielder Rebecca Gordon (Sicklerville, N.J.), and sophomore defender Teagan O'Neill (Pennsauken, N.J.). Gordon and O'Neill join , senior defender Ayana Lyons (Norristown, Pa.) as the Red and Gold's captains for the 2026 season.
 
Fixtures on the draw, Gordon and Colliluori will be two of those key components to the Griffins' success. The former led the 2025 Griffins in points (52) and shots (96), while the latter had a brilliant collegiate debut with 33 points (28 goals, 5 assists), 50 shots, nine caused turnovers, 19 ground balls, and 74 draw controls. They are joined in the midfield by freshman Samantha Whelan (Birdsboro, Pa.), sophomores Emma Hastings (Collingswood, N.J.) and Alyssa Seifert (Philadelphia, Pa.), as well as senior transfer Kira Bradley (Langhorne, Pa.). "Whelan's speed and field awareness make her a great addition to this unit," acknowledged Coach Sacks.

"Of course, Bradley is a tremendous asset. But, we have been very pleased with the growth we have seen from Hastings and Seifert as well." Bradley was a two-time All-United East performer with Bryn Athyn College; she led the Lions to a 2025 United East Championship Tournament appearance with team-highs in points (78), goals (55), assists (23), shots (112), draw controls (64), ground balls (34), and caused turnovers (24).
 
O'Neill totaled 23 ground balls, 13 caused turnovers, and a draw control in her All-AEC Second Team season, while Lyons regained her starting role with 16 ground balls, eight caused turnovers, and a draw control. In the Gwynedd Mercy University backfield, O'Neill and Lyons are joined by sophomore Deshe Dunlap (Philadelphia, Pa.) and freshman Rylee Baird (Philadelphia, Pa.). Dunlap made 10 starts (18gp-10gs) in her freshman campaign and finished the season with an assist, 28 ground balls, 17 caused turnovers, and a draw control. "We are light on defense," pointed our Coach Sacks, "but this group works hard and works very well together. Baird is a welcomed addition, with her agility and work ethic, she fits right in!"
 
Behind them, the Red and Gold goalkeeping crew includes senior Victoria Sloan (Philadelphia, Pa.), junior goalkeeper Nikki Williams (Cinnaminson, N.J.) and sophomore goalkeeper/attack Sydney Pryor (West Chester, Pa.). Sloan (15gp-9gs) and Williams (15gp-9gs) both made nine starts last season; the former (488:43 minutes) totaled 74 saves with a 17.07 goals-against average and a .347 save percentage (SV%), while the latter (522:35) and totaled 85 saves with a 17.80 GAA and a .354 SV%. Pryor appeared as a reserve in five contests; she logged 67:06 minutes and totaled six saves with a 14.31 GAA and a .273 SV%. She will show some of her versatility in 2026 as she expects to also see time with an unproven attack unit.
 
On attack, the Griffins feature senior Brianna Godwin (Telford, Pa.) and four freshmen; Christine Aemisegger (Ambler, Pa.), Olivia Buczacki (Lower Moreland, Pa.), Riley Holton (Warminster, Pa.), and Rhyan Poole (North Wales, Pa.). "Godwin is a leader and we will look to her to captain this group," said Coach Sacks. "We have a lot of new faces on attack, but gives each of them an opportunity to earn the spotlight. We're really excited to see what these ladies can do."
 
"Our goals are more ground ball and more draw controls. More possessions bring more goals. More goals bring more wins. More wins earn us a better record and a return to the AEC Championship Tournament," deducted Coach Sacks. "We are ready to put our practice into action. Let the season begin!
 
Gwynedd Mercy University opens their 2026 season on Wednesday, February 18, with a 4:00 p.m. home game versus Delaware Valley University.