Lancaster, Pa. – (3/9/2026) – Gwynedd Mercy University's Landen Ciran (Ephrata, Pa.) was the latest Griffin to be recognized as the Atlantic East Conference (AEC) Men's Lacrosse Player of the Week after the sophomore midfielder scored four second-half goals in an 8-6 home-opener victory versus Farleigh Dickinson University (FDU) – Florham (Mar. 7). He finished the week with five goals, three ground ball, and a caused turnovers with his additional statistics coming during an earlier loss at Widener University (L, 8-14 on Mar. 4). Freshman defenseman Caleb Gaines (Brookhaven, Pa.) has impressed thus far in his collegiate debut and was recognized with an AEC Men's Lacrosse Weekly Honor Roll mention for recording a goal, 11 ground balls, and eight caused turnovers during the Red and Gold's 1-1 week.
 
Opposite Ciran, Marywood University sophomore face-off/midfielder Luke Ament (Nazareth, Pa.) was recognized as the AEC Men's Lacrosse Defensive Player of the Week. Gaines was joined on the AEC Men's Lacrosse Weekly Honor Roll by Immaculata University sophomore attack Jason Smaron (Philadelphia, Pa.) and Neumann University senior attack Connor Hurley (Littleton, Colo.).
 
Gwynedd Mercy University (3-3) ended their five-game road schedule to start the 2026 season with Wednesday night's 14-8 loss at Widener University. The Griffins improved a 9-3 halftime spread with a pair of third-quarter scores (10:17, 6:42) from freshman midfielder Evan Martini (Feasterville, Pa.), 10-5 (6:42) and fourth-quarter tallies from Ciran (13-6, 7:49) and senior attack Nick Citrigno (Southampton, Pa.) (6:57, 1:05). Senior attack Josh Devine (Pottstown, Pa.) scored three first-half goals and recovered two ground balls. In addition to Devine, Martini, and Ciran, sophomore attack David Crespo (Furlong, Pa.) also recorded multiple points with two assists in the second half. Gaines captained the Red and Gold's defensive effort with seven ground balls and five caused turnovers.
 
Gwynedd Mercy University was eager to take the field for Saturday's home opener versus FDU-Florham (3-2) and it showed as a 4-0 (2:13 2QTR) opening run got the grand stands into the game. In the second half, Ciran put on a show as he scored a pair of third-quarter goals (4:00, 2:45) to give the Griffins a 6-4 lead and a pair of fourth-quarter goals (8:35, 7:21) to deliver the 8-4 victory. Gaines scored the first goal of the game (1-0, 7:18) with a man down; he cleared the ball on a long pass from sophomore goalkeeper Alexander Guardino (Lumberton, N.J.) and took a couple long strides before firing it to the back of the net for his first collegiate tally. Ciran's four scores came with two ground balls, while Gaines also recorded four ground balls and three caused turnovers.
 
Gwynedd Mercy University remains home over Spring Break, to host Cairn University for a 4:00 p.m. Morgan's Message Game on Wednesday, March 11.