(box score)
Sophomore Brittany Creighton (Pitman, NJ) scored twice and Widener held off a furious rally by Gwynedd-Mercy in the closing seconds for a 3-2 victory at Edith R. Dixon Field.
Creighton opened the scoring in the 13th minute, taking a pass from senior Megan Scarpinato (Sewell, NJ) to give the Pride a 1-0 lead. The Griffins leveled matters with 1:30 left in the half as Charlsie Moore scored off a feed from Nicolle Tourdot.
Widener (5-1) would not be down for long, scoring with 35 seconds remaining in the half for a 2-1 cushion. Scarpinato got the ball off a scramble and blasted one inside the left post for her first goal of the season.
Creighton gave the Pride some breathing room in the 53rd minute, netting her team-leading sixth goal of the year for a 3-1 lead.
Gwynedd-Mercy (5-4) benefited from a breakaway with 3:31 to go to make it 3-2. Christine Hammitt took a pass from Maria Karidas and scored for her seventh marker of the season.
The Griffins had a great chance with just over a minute to go, but Sarah Jackson had her shot blocked in front by junior defenseman Lauren Gehringer (Boyertown, PA).
Senior Megan Purcell (Perkasie, PA) played great with eight saves for Widener, which overcame a 17-9 shots discrepancy for its third consecutive win. Scarpinato ended with four shots.
Jackson took five shots and Kaylin Bassett posted four saves for Gwynedd-Mercy.
Widener continues its five-game homestand on Thursday when it hosts No. 3 Messiah, beginning at 4:00 pm.
