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Gwynedd Mercy 7, Neumann 1
2014 CSAC Tournament Semifinal


BOX SCORE



GWYNEDD VALLEY, PA. -- The three-time defending champion Gwynedd Mercy Field Hockey Team, knocked down the Knights of Neumann University, 7-1, in a Colonial States Athletic Conference Tournament Semifinal matchup on Wednesday night. With the win, the Griffins move on to the CSAC Championship game which could potentially punch their ticket to the NCAA Division III Tournament with the conference's automatic bid.

Gwynedd will play at top-seeded Cabrini, whodefeated Immaculatain other semifinal, on Saturday, November 8th at noon. This will be the fifth year in a row the two teams will meet in the final.

Team chemistry was at an all-time high in the first half, as the Griffins got on the board early and pushed a high pace offensive tempo. Just under five minutes into competition junior Katie O'Neill (Warrington, Pa./ Council Rock North) found junior Stephanie Bacho (Cinnaminson, N.J./ Holy Cross) to go up 1-0. That would not be the last time the duo would make an impact. Minutes later Bacho would get off a pass to O'Neill who was wide open at the left side of the arc for the second tally of the day. Up 2-0 early on, the Griffins offense did not give the Knights a chance to battle back. Bacho would go on to tally her second goal of the day pushing in a rebound in traffic in the arc. O'Neill would record a hat-trick, scoring two more goals in the half with one being assisted by freshman Brianna O'Connell (Berlin, N.J. / Eastern).

At the break, the Griffins were up 5-0, holding the Knights to zero shots in the first 35 minutes of action.

Tensions ran high entering the second half which would prove to be a physical battle on both ends. Neumann struck first, for their only goal of the day, when sophomore Jessica Harrell got off a shot after Kelly Kruk (Phoenixville, Pa. / Methacton) was out of position on a previous save. But the Griffins did not relent and would go on two tally two more. Moments after the Knights goal, senior Brittany Wilson (Huntington Valley, Pa. / Lower Moreland) scored the first of her two goals on the night, one coming at 56:24 on an assist from sophomore Cristen Pody (Medford, N.J./Shawnee) and the other six minutes later off a helper from senior Brooke Oliver (Red Hill, Pa. / Upper Perkiomen).

Overall, the Griffins outshot the Knights, 21-5, and took the advantage in corners at 15-4.

Kruk recorded three saves in the win for the Griffins while keeper Summer Skilvas made six for the Knights.

With eight-consecutive playoff appearances, the Griffins will look to repeat once again when they travel to higher seeded Cabrini on Saturday. Live stats and video will be available