IMMACULATA, Pa.- The Immaculata University Field Hockey team will host Gwynedd Mercy University in an Atlantic East Conference Quarterfinal round match on Saturday. Game time is set for 12 p.m. at Draper Walsh Stadium.  This will be the first time Immaculata has hosted a playoff game in modern program history (since 2004).

The Mighty Macs enter the playoffs after a 2023 season that they finished with an overall record of 7-10 along with a 4-2 record in Atlantic East Conference play. The Macs navigated a strong non-conference schedule that included nationally ranked Kean. In Atlantic East play the Macs earned wins over Cabrini, Gwynedd Mercy, Neumann and Manhattanville to earn the #3 seed and a home playoff game.

"The field hockey team is locked in for round one," stated head Coach Kate Stopford. "We have never had the opportunity to host before, but after great regular season in conference play- here we are! "

Immaculata faced Gwynedd Mercy on October 11^th, defeating the Griffins 3-2 in double overtime on a goal by Della George. The two teams met last year in the Atlantic East Conference Quarterfinals at Gwynedd Mercy with the Mighty Macs defeating the Griffins 1-0 in a shootout.

Despite beating Gwynedd Mercy in their past two meetings, head coach Kate Stopford knows that her team is facing a tough challenge on Saturday but is confident the team is ready.

"This team has shown they can win through teamwork, self-discipline, confidence and sometimes with the odds against them, or in overtime," described Stopford.

Gwynedd Mercy enters the Atlantic East Conference Tournament after a season in which they went 2-14 overall with a 1-5 record in conference play. Laura Filchner and Mackenzie Reed led Gwynedd Mercy in scoring each registering five goals and one assist. Nikki Williams handled the bulk of the Griffins games in goal posting a 3.10 goals-against average and one shutout.

Immaculata has been led this season by seniors Lauren Vandenbraak, the team's leading scorer with eight goals and seven assists, and Lauren Buckel with four goals and one assist. Junior Della George who scored the overtime winning goals against Gwynedd Mercy and Neumann.  Freshman Jillian Vandenbraak scored two goals and added one assist, and sophomore Abby Fekete scored the overtime winning goal vs Widener.

On the defensive side junior goalkeeper Julia Levase, who twice earned conference defensive player of the week honors, posted four shutouts and a 2.32 goals-against average. Junior Madalyn Bonner had five defensive saves, senior Kaitlin Gale had two defensive saves, and Rachel Madden and Della George each had one defensive save.

Even with a core of players with playoff experience from previous seasons, the Mighty Macs know winning games in the tournament will be difficult.

" It was not an easy road to get here, and the road ahead is not easy either," concluded Stopford. "We are going in ready to win, but understand it must be earned, and working hard never stops."