Gwynedd Valley, Pa. – (9/17/2026) – Gwynedd Mercy University Head Women's Soccer Coach Michael Nelms is pleased to welcome a familiar face to the sidelines as he formally introduces Natalie Gablein '26 as the latest addition to his coaching staff. "Natalie means so much to this program," said Coach Nelms. "She was my first recruit, and watching her grow from a young player into a leader, captain, and outstanding young woman has been incredibly rewarding. I couldn't be more excited to have her back with us. She understands our culture, she understands what it means to be a Griffin, and most importantly, she cares deeply about our players and this program." A three-year starter and one-year captain (2025) for the Griffins, Gablein ranks among the program's all-time Top-10 in saves (7^th, 218), saves per game (T6^th, 4.95), save percentage (6^th, .820 SV%), goals-against average (9^th, 1.67 GAA), wins (9^th, 9), ties (T5^th, 5), and losses (T6^th, 16). Gablein will serve as the team's goalkeeping coach.
 
"I am so excited to be join the Gwynedd Mercy University women's soccer coaching staff. I want to thank Coach Nelms for giving me the chance to come back and share my knowledge, and love, for the game," said Coach Gablein. "I cannot wait to work alongside the coaches and players, and help this program continue to grow." Gablein made 42 starts (53 games played) during her four-year career at Gwynedd Mercy University. As a freshman (2022), started in all 14 contests that she appeared, but only four as the Griffin goalkeeper. In net, she totaled 203:12 minutes and earned a 0-3-1 record with 22 saves on a 3.10 GAA and a .759 SV%. While playing the field, she recorded eight shots and tallied her first collegiate goal (1 point) as the fourth Griffin goal (4-2, 74:21) of a 4-2 win over Penn State Brandywine (Sept. 6). Gablein (8gp-5gs) finished her sophomore season (2023) with a 3-0-1 record and 36 saves in 450:00 minutes thanks to a .800 GAA and a .900 SV%. She made three appearances on the Atlantic East Conference (AEC) Women's Soccer Weekly Report with an Honor Roll mention on September 25 and the Defensive Player of the Week awards on September 18 and October 30. Gablein (11gp-11gs) played a majority of the goalkeeping minutes (961:39) during her junior season (2024) and totaled 92 saves with .800 SV% and a 2.15 GAA. She made two appearances on the AEC Weekly Honor Roll (Sept. 9, Sept. 23) before finishing the season with a 2-7-2 record. As a senior (2025), Gabelin (20gp–12gs) logged 974:53 minutes and earned a 4-6-1 record with 68 saves, a .829 SV%, and a 1.29 GAA.
 
During her time at Gwynedd Mercy University, Gablein was also a Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) team representative (2022-2023) for the women's soccer team and the vice president (2025) of the Gwynedd Mercy University chapter of Morgan's Message, which strives to eliminate the stigma surrounding mental health within the student-athlete community as well as equalize the treatment of physical and mental health in athletics.
 
Since graduating from Gwynedd Mercy University in 2026 with a bachelor's degree in occupational science, Gablein continued positions with Gold Fish Swim School (Swim Instructor/Front Desk, 2021-current) of Warrington, Pennsylvania, and Dolton Sports (Youth Assistant Sports Coach, 2024-current). She is currently enrolled in the Gwynedd Mercy University occupational therapy graduate program.