Gwynedd Valley, Pa. – (9/1/2026) – The Gwynedd Mercy University (1-0) women's soccer team opened the 2026 campaign on a winning note Tuesday evening, using a first-half goal from sophomore forward
Michelina Soroka (Hatboro, Pa.) and a strong defensive performance to secure a 1-0 victory over Wilson College (0-1). The victory moves the Griffins to 1-0-0 on the young season.
Griffin Highlights:
- Gwynedd Mercy controlled much of the offensive action, outshooting Wilson 11-5 while putting six attempts on goal. The Griffins were particularly aggressive during the opening 45 minutes, producing eight shots compared to three from the Phoenix.
- After Wilson goalkeeper stopped early opportunities from senior defenseman Elena DiPrinzio (Warrington, Pa.) and junior midfielder Anna Nicosia (Columbus, N.J.), the Griffins finally broke through in the 24th minute. Soroka, who entered the contest as a substitute at 18:21, capitalized on a loose ball in front of the goal at 23:56 and buried the game's first and only tally (1-0) for her first goal of the 2026 season. This goal was Soroka's first collegiate career goal.
- Gwynedd Mercy continued to threaten following Soroka's goal. Junior midfielder Casey Thomas (Philadelphia, Pa.) sent an attempt wide right in the 34th minute before freshman midfielder LaNya Bracero (Palmyra, N.J.) had a shot blocked and senior midfielder Rebecca Gordon (Sicklerville, N.J.) forced another save late in the opening half. The Griffins carried their 1-0 advantage into halftime.
- The Griffins remained on the attack after the break. DiPrinzio sent an attempt wide left at 48:23 before Gordon forced Wilson's second-half goalkeeper into a save less than two minutes later. Nicosia followed with another shot on goal at 50:54, while Gwynedd Mercy also earned a pair of second-half corner kicks.
- While the offense supplied the game's deciding goal, Gwynedd Mercy's defensive unit made sure it was enough. Sophomore goalkeeper Zoe Davis (Riverside, N.J.) started in goal and turned away both Wilson shots on target during her 45 minutes of action. (1-0) Freshman goalkeeper Aubrey Thompson (Levittown, Pa.) took over between the posts for the second half and helped preserve the clean sheet as the Phoenix were held without a shot on goal after halftime. Together, Davis and Thompson combined for the Griffins' first shutout of the season.
- Soroka finished with two shots and the game-winning goal, while Gordon and Nicosia each placed both of their attempts on target. DiPrinzio added two shots with one on goal as Gwynedd Mercy received contributions throughout the lineup.
- The contest was ultimately halted by a lightning delay at 72:14, with Gwynedd Mercy holding its 1-0 advantage. The result gave the Griffins a season-opening victory and a clean sheet to begin their 2026 campaign.
Gwynedd Mercy is back in action at home on Friday, September 4, when the team battles Penn State Brandywine with a scheduled 6:00 p.m. kickoff.
