Gwynedd Valley, Pa. – (7/31/2026) – 2025 was a remarkable season for Gwynedd Mercy University as a run to the Atlantic East Conference (AEC) Women's Soccer Championship was a welcomed reward for the program's development under Head Coach Mike Nelms. "Last season was amazing! But the 2026 season is about continuing to build something greater than ourselves. Every player who wears the Griffin jersey represents the commitment, pride, and tradition of Gwynedd Mercy University. We will compete with passion, serve with humility, and support one another through every success and every challenge. With a 6:00 p.m. home opener scheduled for Tuesday, September 1, he is overjoyed to begin talking about the season that lies ahead.
 
"We have some special events planned as we welcome the Upper Moreland Lightning for a team-night, when we play Penn State Brandywine on September 4 and we host our annual Mental Health Awareness Night with Morgan's Message and Abbey's Bakery against Cedar Crest on September 16. And, of course, we will be blessed to have the Voices of Gwynedd on-hand to perform the National Anthem." Coach Nelms added, "I can't finish without mentioning Senior Day (Oct. 17). This senior class has played an instrumental role in the transformation of our women's soccer program. Their legacy of leadership, resilience, and their belief in our vision has established a culture and a set of standards that will guide future Griffins."
 
Gwynedd Mercy University lost to Wilson College by a 1-0 (Sept. 1) margin in their 2025 meeting, leaving the rivalry's all-time standing in the Phoenix's favor; 2-1. The Griffin defense did a phenomenal job limiting Wilson College's first-half opportunities as they did not allow the Phoenix a shot until the 50^th minute (49:54). Unfortunately, their first strike found its target, ruining a brilliant performance by the Red and Gold backfield. Senior goalkeepers Madisson Ronn (Warrington, Pa.) and Natalie Gablein (Philadelphia, Pa.) split minutes; the latter made three saves in the final 45:00.

Following their home opener on September 1, the Gwynedd Mercy University women's soccer team will welcome Penn State Brandywine to the Athletic Complex for a 6:00 p.m. contest on Friday, September 4. This contest will serve as the Upper Moreland Soccer Club – Lightning Team Night; following some Q&A with the Griffins, members of the team will join the Red and Gold for opening announcements. The Griffins are 4-2 all-time against these Nittany Lions thanks to victories in each of their last four meetings. In 2025, the Red and Gold had plenty of early chances, leading to a goal from junior midfielder Bridget Cannon (Bensalem, Pa.) in the 37^th minute (1-0, 36:54). Later, sophomore defender Samantha Winco (Chalfont, Pa.) played hero as she scored (2-1, 83:24) with just a little over six minutes left in a 2-1 (Sept. 6) triumph.
 
The first road game of 2026 is scheduled for Tuesday, September 8, when Gwynedd Mercy University travels to Ursinus College for a 7:30 p.m. contest. Winless in three meetings with the Bears, the Griffins will look to change the record and get revenge on a 2-1 (Sept. 13) loss in 2025. Gwynedd Mercy University nulled an early Ursinus College goal (1-0, 23:34) in the 69th minute, when junior midfielder Rebecca Gordon (Sicklerville, N.J.) completed a Cannon corner kick with a clever header at the post; 1-1 (68:09). But, the stalemate was short lived as the ultra-aggressive Bear offense eventually stayed on sides for a second score in the 78th minute, 2-1 (77:40); this time a breakaway effort was the Griffins' undoing.
 
Gwynedd Mercy University is back on the road on Saturday, September 12, for a 12:00 p.m. contest at Penn State Berks. The 2025 was the Red and Gold's first encounter with these Nittany Lions; the contest ended in a 1-1 (Sept. 24) stalemate thanks to an unassisted score (1-1, 24:12) from sophomore midfielder Anna Nicosia (Columbus, N.J.) and a collective ten saves from Gablein (45:00, 6 saves) and Ronn (45:00, 4).
 
The following week, Gwynedd Mercy University hosts a pair of games at the Athletic Complex as Cedar Crest College visits for a Mental Health Awareness Night with Morgan's Message and Abbey's Bakery on Wednesday, September 16 (7:00 p.m.) and the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg stops by for a noon (12:00 p.m.) kickoff on Saturday, September 19.
 
The Voices of Gwynedd will be on-hand to perform the National Anthem prior to the start of the Morgan's Message Night with the Falcons. Cedar Crest College is winless in 17 meetings with the Griffins, including a 4-0 (Sept. 17) final in 2025; freshman forward/midfielder Drew Bark (Philadelphia, Pa.) recorded a hattrick (8:51, 12:29, 53:59) en route to an AEC Player of the Week (Sept. 22) award. Contrastingly, Gwynedd Mercy University only saw the Bobcats in 2024, when a steady downpour in the early parts and an 11-save performance from Gablein resulted in a 0-0 (Sept. 7) tie.
 
September concludes with consecutive road games at Cairn University (Sept. 23, 7:00 p.m.) and Eastern University (Sept. 26, 11:00 a.m.) followed by consecutive homes games opposite Albright College (Sept. 28, 4:00 p.m.) and former AEC rival, Marywood University (Sept. 30, 4:00 p.m.).

Gwynedd Mercy University holds a 12-0-4 all-time record against the Highlanders, including a 2-1 (Sept. 20), 2025 victory. Bark (1-0, 18:29) and senior forward Kira Bradley (Langhorne, Pa.) (2-0, 43:16) provided the Griffins' the first-half goals while Gablein (45:00, 0 saves) and Ronn (45:00, 1) preserved the win. 2-7-1 all-time against the Eagles, the Griffins will look for revenge on a 9-1 (Sept. 28) final from back in 2021.
 
Gwynedd Mercy University defeated Albright College by a 4-2 (Sept. 27) in 2025, bringing their all-time record against the Lions to 5-3-1. Last year, Bradley scored all four (2:35, 18:52, 33:38, 47:07) while Gablein (45:00, 5 saves) and Ronn (45:00, 4) made all the necessary stops to keep the Griffin on top.
 
The Red and Gold saw the Pacers twice in 2025, avenging a 2-0 (Oct. 22) loss with a 1-0 upset in the 2025 AEC Semifinals. Early in the 42^nd minute of the semifinal, a connection from sophomore defender/midfielder Paige Fienman (Philadelphia, Pa.) to Bradley and Nicosia was the difference maker. The Griffins overcame a 31-5 shot discrepancy and a 19-0 disadvantage on corner kicks and in the postseason victory with tremendous defense and the combined goalkeeping of Gablein (45:00, 3 saves) and Ronn (45:00, 4).
 
October opens Gwynedd Mercy University's AEC schedule. The Griffins will see Pratt Institute and Centenary University (N.J.) twice in 2026; they visit the Cannoneers on Saturday, October 3 (TBA) and host them on Saturday, October 24 (12:00 p.m.), while hosting the Cyclones on Wednesday, October 7 (6:00 p.m.), and visiting them on Wednesday, October 28 (TBA).
 
The Red and Gold is 2-1 all-time against Pratt Institute, including a 5-0 (Oct. 8) regular-season loss and a 4-2 (Nov. 1) AEC First Round victory over the Cannoneers. In the postseason win, the fifth-seeded Griffins erupted four second-half goals (58:24, 72:29, 77:48, 86:54) to surge past Pratt Institute; Bradley recorded the first and last of them, while Fienman and Bark netted the others. Gablein (45:00, 3 saves) and Ronn (45:00, 3) split 90 minutes and six saves evenly.
 
In between their contests with Pratt Institute and Centenary University (N.J.), Gwynedd Mercy University will visit both Immaculata University (Oct. 10, TBA) and Marymount University (Oct. 14, 5:00 p.m.) before hosting Saint Elizabeth University in a noon (12:00 p.m.) Senior Day contest on Saturday, October 17.
 
Gwynedd Mercy University used an 80^th minute goal from sophomore defender/midfielder Samantha Winco (Chalfont, Pa.) to defeat Immaculata University in 2025 (1-0 on Oct. 25). The victory brought the Griffins' all-time record versus the Mighty Macs to 20-9-1. 
 
Marymount University survived the Red and Gold in both 2025 meetings, improving to 7-2-1 all-time against the Griffins with a 2-0 (Oct. 11) regular-season win and a 4-0 (Nov. 8) AEC Semifinal victory. Despite a disciplined performance, Gwynedd Mercy University could not find the finishing touch against a sharp Saints defense. Meanwhile, Marymount University goals in the 17^th (1-0, 16:59), 39^th (38:35), 55^th (54:23), and 82^nd (81:18) minutes overshadowed the work of Gablein (45:00, 3 saves) and Ronn (45:00, 3).

Gwynedd Mercy University will recognize the collegiate careers of Cannon, Gordon, defender/midfielder Elena DiPrinzio (Warrington, Pa.), defender/midfielder Jordyn Fegia (Levittown, Pa.), and defender Jessica Parker (Philadelphia, Pa.), before their Senior Day kickoff with Saint Elizabeth University. The Griffins are 5-0 all-time against the Eagles, including a 9-1 (Oct. 4) triumph over them in 2025; Bradley was unstoppable with four goals (8:55, 14:09, 25:54, 46:07) and an assist (51:22), in the blowout.
 
The 2026 AEC Women's Soccer Championship is scheduled for Saturday, November 7, with the first and semifinal rounds respectively scheduled for Saturday, October 31, and Tuesday, November 3.