ALLENTOWN, Pa. – The Cedar Crest College field hockey team was edged by Gwynedd Mercy University, 2-1, in its season opener on Saturday morning at the FalconPlex. The win moves the Griffins to 1-1 overall while the Falcons fall to 0-1 on the young season.

Gwynedd Mercy got on the board in the final minute of the first quarter on a goal by sophomore Amber Sims (Perkasie, Pa.) and was assisted by graduate student Caitlyn Thornton (Ivyland, Pa.).

The second quarter remained scoreless with the Griffins outshooting the Falcons, 3-1.

The Falcons found the back of the cage in the third quarter when first-year Olivia Wanner (Lyons, Pa./Kutztown Area) found senior Emily Demarest (Vernon, N.J./Vernon Township) for the equalizing goal to knot the game at 1-1.

The Griffins broke the tie with 58 seconds remaining in regulation when sophomore Cheyenne Avellino (Egg Harbor, N.J.) tallied the eventual game winner. The marker was assisted by Thorton, making it her second point of the contest.

Junior goalkeeper Brynn Rifino (Dover, Del./Smyrna) made 11 saves in goal for the Falcons.  Gwynedd Mercy outshot Cedar Crest 20-2 the contest and had 10 penalty corners to the Falcons' one.

Cedar Crest (0-1 overall) will next play at Stevenson University on Monday, September 5 at 1:00 p.m. Gwynedd Mercy (1-1 overall) closed out a three-game road trip on Wednesday, September 7 at Delaware Valley University with the game time set for 4:00 p.m.

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