Ambler, Pa- The women's lacrosse program kicked off the 2015 campaign today when they visited Gwynedd Mercy University for a non-conference game. 

Gwynedd Mercy started the game with a goal off the draw, scoring just 21 seconds into the game. Bryn Athyn would bounce right back with offensive pressure of their own off a draw won by Savanna Smith. Katrina Hughes cut from the baseline and shot high, only to be stopped by the GMU goalie. Strong field running by Emma Gross would help the lions in transition. The teams would trade possessions for the opening five minutes. 

The lions would maintain most of the possession for the first 10 minutes of the half, leading GMU in shots 3-1. 

GMU looked to strike in transition, but the strong back-to-back saves by Anja Weisser kept the game at 1-0. The Griffins would capitalize in transition, scoring two quick goals to increase their lead to 3-0 with ten minutes remaining in the first half. 

The defense of the lions kept GMU a off the board. Strong defensive play by Laura Clymer and McKenna Acton would help the lions drive the ball into the GMU zone. The lions had a chance to get on the board with five remaining, when Savanna Smith had a direct shot that was saved by the shin of the GMU goalie. The game remained at 5-0, with GMU a leading the shots by 9-5. 

Gage Blair would pick up a ground ball following a Weisser save that would transition the ball into GMU territory. Michelle Bedford would slow things down with three minutes to play, but the lions would be held without a shot.  

With one minute left in the half, Emma Gross would make a defensive stop in front of the lion goal. Gross sprinted the ball to half field, passed to Bedford. Bedford beat two GMU defenders and scored far side off the hip of the goalie. The goal would cut the GMU lead to four. 

GMU would take a 6-1 lead into the half. 

The Griffins would open up scoring in the second half with two free possession shots, increasing the score to 8-1. 

Gage Blair would continue her strong defensive play with a stick check on a GMU player that lead to an offensive chance for the lions. Katrina Hughes would slow the ball down behind the cage. Hughes stepped out behind the goal, beat two players and shot short side to beat the GMU a goalie. The score was cut to 8-2.  

The lions looked to capitalize off a strong defensive play by Gross. Gross passed to Smith off a stoppage, Smith took the ball straight down the field on a fast break beating two players only to be stopped by the GMU goalie. The score remained 10-2 in favor of GMU. 

Laura Clymer had a free position shot saved at 17:10 and the rebound found its way to Smith. Smith would beat the GMU player and pass to Gross. Gross faked low and shot the ball short side high to beat the GMU goalie. 

The teams would trade possessions for the next 10 minutes without many shots on goal.   

Michelle Bedford would capitalize on a possession shot, her second of the the game. 

Smith would have a free position chance. Smith rolled off the left side of the cage and beat  GMU would hold a 12-5 lead to finish the game. 

The Lions drop to 0-1 and  return to action next Sunday on the road at Cedar Crest.