Gwynedd Mercy rolls past Delco Christian, advances to District 1-2A quarterfinals

LOWER GWYNEDD >> For Audrey Beck, when the Gwynedd Mercy girls lacrosse team brings confidence out on the field that is when the Monarchs are the best version of themselves.

“We just have to play our game,” Beck said. “And I think that most of our season when we believe in ourselves, that we play for each other, not just individual we definitely succeed the most.”

That version of GMA came out early in Wednesday afternoon’s District 1-2A second-round matchup with visiting Delco Christian. Beck, Sydney Mandato and Keira Cassidy all scored three times as the No. 8 seed Monarchs tallied the first 11 goals, led 12-1 at halftime and went on to roll past the No. 9 Knights 15-4.

“That was probably my lost home game at this turf and I think just every ball counts, it doesn’t matter you’re up 100-nothing,” said Beck, a senior attack committed to Old Dominion. At least personally I put my heart and soul into this game and I think that I couldn’t do it without my teammates cause I know they put it 110 percent too.”

Beck added a second-half goal to finish with a game-high four goals for GMA, which advanced to the quarterfinals for the sixth straight 2A tournament. The Monarchs move to visit top-seeded Springfield-Montco – an 18-4 winner over No. 16 Merion Mercy – 4 p.m. Tuesday. Winner earns a PIAA berth while the losing side’s season is over.

“I’m so excited to see what this team is able to do in the upcoming games,” Beck said. “Cause I know we can take it.”

Last season as the 11th seed Gwynedd Mercy edged Springfield 16-15 in the district first round then topped No. 3 Jenkintown to qualify for states and reach the semifinals.

“I don’t even think this team knows truly how good they are,” Beck said. “I know, our coaches know but once we start recognizing it and playing one game at a time I see ourselves going very far.”

The Monarchs opened this year 0-3 after losses to Germantown Academy, Mount St. Joseph and Villa Maria and were 3-5 after falling 9-6 to Council Rock South April 5. But GMA has lost just once in its past 11 games, with Wednesday’s result extending its winning streak to six.

“From preseason ’til now our team is two totally different sides of the spectrum,” Beck said. “Our defense comes together and completely stops all balls. Our goalie, definitely tremendous, our attack, we’ve been really working to go to cage more.”

Mandato and Cassidy both ended up with three goals while Emily Verrill also added a hat trick for GMA.

Addie Smith and Sarah Stahl both scored two goals for Delco Christian, which lost in the district first round for the second straight season. But coach Mark Schreiber still saw Wednesday as another step in the right direction for the Knights.

“I’m obviously super-proud of our girls,” Schreiber said. “Two years ago, we were ranked 25th in the PIAA District 1, this year we’re ranked ninth. So our team has been working hard. This is not the end. They have some eyes on some bigger prizes.”

Mandato – committed to Penn for field hockey – scored two of the Monarchs’ first three goals then had the assist on a Colleen Mullin tally that made it 4-0 at 17:09.

“I definitely think moving the ball around at speed,” Beck said. “I know teams that we look up to are top 10 teams. I know when we watch film we don’t re-watch our games, we watch the teams that are incredible like BC, North Carolina, Syracuse, I mean JMU had a spectacular season too and I think they’re definitely a role model for our attack.”

Mandato collected her third goal at 15:55 while Bailey Balkir’s strike at 11:35 extended GMA’s lead to 6-0.

Beck found the back of the net for the first time at 9:20 before Cassidy converted on an eight-meter shot to put Gwynedd Mercy up eight at 7:49.

After Beck tallied the next two for an 11-0 lead, Smith got the Knights on the scoreboard but a Verrill goal had the Monarchs up 12-1 at halftime.

“Gwynedd’s a great team,” Schreiber said. “They’re a great team, so it’s great to be out here with them. Very classy, they played a very clean game, an aggressive game and they’re very talented so when you’re playing great teams it just makes you better.”

Stahl struck on an eight-meter shot for the second half’s opening goal but Beck then Verrill scored to give GMA a 14-2 advantage.

Gwynedd Mercy 15, Delco Christian 4
Delco Christian 1 3 – 4
Gwynedd Mercy 12 3 – 15
Delco Christian Goals: Addie Smith 2; Sarah Stahl 2.
Gwynedd Mercy Goals: Audrey Beck 4; Keira Cassidy 3; Sydney Mandato 3; Emily Verrill 3; Bailey Balkir; Colleen Mullin.